Kochi, Sep 16 (IANS): Those accused of assaulting a Kerala college professor whose right palm was chopped off are hiding in the Middle-East, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said Friday.

T.J. Joseph's right palm was chopped off allegedly by Muslim fundamentalists in July last year when he was returning from a Sunday mass with his family members.

The first accused M.K. Nassar and seven others are hiding in the Middle-East, said the agency in a special affidavit to an NIA court.

The NIA will now seek the help of the Interpol to extradite the accused, the affidavit stated.

Joseph's palm was chopped off allegedly by activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI). They were outraged at a reference to Prophet Mohammed in a question paper he prepared for second year B.Com students for an internal examination of Newman College, Thodupuzha.

The NIA will issue a lookout notice for the accused, besides investigating if they received any foreign funds for the crime.

More than two dozen PFI activists were arrested earlier and some of them are now out on bail.

Police seized incriminating documents from PFI offices.

Joseph's hand was stitched back.