While the Muslim League called for a hartal to protest against the murder of its Youth League worker Safeer on Sunday, the police have taken five people into custody in connection with the crime.
The police, however, are yet to record the arrests. Those booked have been identified as Basheer, Rashid, Surjal, Ajeesha and Subhan. According to Hidayuthulla Mambra, Circle Inspector of Manarkkad police station, a feud existed between the families for years, which led to the murder.
Safeer, a 22-year-old native of Kunthippuzha in Palakkad, was stabbed to death on Sunday night at his shop. The assailants barged into his textile shop and attacked him. He is the son of municipal councillor Siraj.
“Basheer and Rashid are Safeer’s neighbours. There were some issues between these families for many years. Retaliation over the issues led to the murder. Surjal, Ajeesh and Subhan live within a two-kilometre radius and they helped the others in carrying out the murder,” the CI said.
The accused are all in their early 20s, the CI said, and have admitted to their crime.
“The statement of the accused has been recorded. The inquest has also been prepared. We are collecting evidence to record the arrest,” the CI said.
Police also denied reports of the accused having political affiliation. "They don't belong to any political party. The crime was not prompted by any political retaliation,” the CI said.
Meanwhile, it is reported that those who called for hartal in Mannarkkad, blocked vehicles on the Palakkad and Kozhikode stretches. Tension prevailed on the road between Kalladikkode and Mannarkkad.
TV channels reported that even private vehicles with women and children were blocked by hartal supporters. They also blocked media persons who were reporting about the hartal.