While the police reiterated that 45-year-old Zubair’s murder was over personal matters and not linked to his political affiliation, political parties continued to give the matter a political colour on Friday.
Zubair, a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, died following an assault by a group of four persons near a place of worship. Illiyas, 62, who was standing next to Zubair, was hit on his hand and admitted to a private hospital.
P olice Commissioner T.R. Suresh told reporters on Friday that Zubair’s brother has submitted a complaint accusing Altaf and his associates of being involved in the murder. In the complaint, he has accused Altaf of issuing life threats to Zubair after the latter’s release f rom prison a month ago.
Mr. Suresh said that following Zubair’s complaint in 2016, the city police had booked Altaf and three others under the Goonda Act.
Mr. Suresh said the motive f or the murder was clear and Zubair’s association with the BJP had nothing to do with it. He said the murder suspects are not way linked to any p olitical party. Three teams have been formed to trace them, he said.
Despite all this, BP and Democratic Youth Federation of India activists continued their protests on Friday.
Minister stopped
Meanwhile, people prevented Food and Civil Supplies Minister U.T. Khader from meeting the family members of Zubair at Mukkacherry on Friday.
Just as Mr. Khader arrived in his car, residents blocked the way and vented their ire at him for not showing up on Thursday. Mr. Khader subsequently left.
Earlier, Mr. Khader told reporters that three special police teams have been formed to catch persons involved in rowdyism and selling cannabis in the areas coming under Konaje, Mangaluru Rural and Ullal police limits.
