Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Oct 11: The police have arrested five persons in connection to the murder of Zubair, who was hacked to death on the night of October 4 at Mukkacheri in Ullal.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday October 11, police commissioner T R Suresh said that the accused arrested are Suhail alias Abdul Rahiman Suhail (23), a resident of Ullal, Nizamuddin alias Nizam (23), also of Ullal, Mohammed Mustafa (21) of Someshwar, Tajuddin (24), a resident of Ullal and Asif (40) from Mukkacheri.

Among them, Suhail is an accused in four other cases, Tajuddin is accused in a stone-pelting incident, Mustafa has a robbery case registered against him in Mangaluru rural police station, Nizam is an accused in an assault case in Ullal police station and Asif is wanted in 10 cases all in Ullal police station.

The police commissioner also said that among the accused, Asif was the main conspirator.

"We will produce them in court and seek police custody," the police commissioner said.

"There are three more persons involved in the case and we have already gathered information about them. We are in the process of arresting them," he added.

Regarding motive behind the murder, Suresh said, "Zubair had filed a complaint against one Altaf in 2016 in connection to riots, after which Altaf was arrested and booked under Goonda Act. Altaf was released on bail three months ago. Zubair was murdered as a revenge.

"A year ago, Zubair started living near Mukkacheri mosque. We have learnt that Zubair had some differences with the mosque administrative committee too," he added.

He also ruled out political angle to the murder and said that it was purely out of personal rivalry and differences between the victim and the accused.

On curbing rowdyism in Mangaluru police limits, he said, "We have formed anti-rowdy squads in four divisions to keep an eye on illegal activities. We will list out the rowdies and deal with them stringently."

Zubair was hacked to death by four-five persons in front of Mukkacheri mosque on October 4. The incident was captured in the CCTV. Ilyas who was with him sustained injuries in the attack. The murder sparked protests and took political overtones, with the BJP saying that Zubair was a member of the party, and alleging Congress activists of being involved in the murder. A case was filed against BJP's Rahim Uchil for making the allegation. The incident also made headlines at the state level.