By TwoCircles.net staff correspondent,
Malappuram: Two people have been caught by the police in connection with the murder of a masjid official in Ernakulam. The men were caught early on Tuesday from Kolancheri in Ernakulam, informed the Kochi city police commissioner Manoj Abraham in a press conference.
Basheer Haji, secretary of Vattekkunnam Juma masjid and businessman, was killed by two men on July 23. The murder took place when Basheer Haji had just opened his shop of mobile phones (‘New Mobile Planet’) in the morning. The attackers stabbed him from behind and stole his bag which contained mobile phones and money.
The men caught by the police were identified as Jaymon alias TM Jinto (25) and VS Aneesh (23), both from nearby Idukki district. They were reportedly caught by the police team led by NR Jayaraj, CI, and CJ Martin and MB Latheef, Sub Inspectors, early in the morning on Tuesday from Kolancheri.
The police said that the attackers stabbed Basheer Haji while trying to steal. The police have reportedly found the weapon used to stab, 14 mobile phones, about 70 recharge coupons, five mobile phone chargers, the dress that the men had worn on the day, chappals and bag from the two men.
Here is the police version regarding the incident: The aim of the men was to steal money and mobile phones. Jinto, who had been working as driver in Idappalli nearby, planned the attack. He noted the time Basheer Haji used to open the shop and reached the place with his friend in the morning of July 23. When Haji opened the shop, he went inside and stabbed him. They stole his bag and money and threw away the weapon and bag in a plot nearby. They then sold the items in many places in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The police caught them when they returned to Kolancheri after selling the items.
Four native people in the area and two students recognized Aneesh and that was helpful in the investigation, said the Police Commissioner.
The police will present the two men before the Aluva Judicial Magisterate Court and ask for police custody, informed the police.
In Kozhikode also a masjid official was killed on 21 June while going to the masjid for Fajr prayer. Seethikoya Haji was the secretary of a masjid committee at Kundamangalam. A man named Anoop was arrested by police in connection with the murder. After the murder of Basheer Haji in Ernakulam, the Kerala Muslim Jamat Council had asked on 28th July for a probe by a special team into the recent attacks on masjid officials.