Long wait for justice irks people of Kodinhi in Pullani Faisal murder case

Malappuram: The people of Kodinhi are frustrated by the wait for justice after the murder of Muslim convert Pullani Faisal, 32, two weeks ago. Expressing dismay over the delay in catching the prime accused, including a top functionary of RSS in the case, who were identified earlier by the investigation team, hundreds of local and nearby residents took out a protest march to the office of the circle inspector of police, Tirurangadi, on Wednesday. The protesters demanded to invoke the provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against the accused. The workers of Muslim League, Congress, CMP, Welfare Party and various Muslim organisations took part in the march.

Meanwhile, the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham (SYS), the youth wing of Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulema, put off a protest march to the office of the district police chief Debesh Kumar Behera on Thursday. Instead the leaders of the SYS would submit a memorandum to Mr Behera. The organisation had earlier raised serious allegations against a senior police officer heading the investigation. “The police move has created suspicions among the public. The investigation team had earlier found that a conspiracy was hatched at Saraswati Vidyaniketan at Melepuram near Kodinhi. There should be a proper investigation into the involvement of people who run this institution as well,” Mr Abdussamad Pookottur, state general secretary of SYS, said.

He also pointed out that some extremist elements within the Muslim community may exploit the protests among the local population. The Popular Front of India had conducted a protest march at Tirurangadi last week while others preferred to stay away from a public display of anger.