PFI Terrorist leader evades interrogation

State PFI chief evades interrogation
VR Jayaraj | Kochi – Daily Pioneer

Nazeeruddin Elamaram, State president of Islamist Popular Front of India (PFI), failed to appear before the Kerala Police on Friday for questioning in relation to the case of the July 4 attack on a college professor in Muvattupuzha. Instead, he wrote a letter to the police asking for more time.

The Circle Inspector of Police, Muvattupuzha had served notice to Nazeeruddin to appear before him for evidence-gathering on Friday morning. Sources in the police said they would now question him on August 17 or 18. Nazeeruddin had termed the move to question the outfit’s leaders in connection with the case as unjust and as an act of revenge.

State PFI general secretary Abdul Hameed also had failed to turn up at the police station for questioning despite a notice served on him. He had asked for a week’s extension and the police said he would be questioned on August 17. The police had asked P Koya, national council member of the Popular Front, to appear for questioning on Monday.

The police had questioned Ashraf Moulvi, State president of the Imams’ Council, a feeder outfit of the PFI, in the previous two days. The decision to question the top Popular Front leaders in connection with the attack on Prof TJ Joseph was taken following reports that its State committee had prior knowledge of the plan for the attack.

Meanwhile, the police on Friday issued lookout notices for two more accused in the case of attack on the professor. The notices were issued for PFI activists Sajin of Muvattupuzha and Shobin of Kothamangalam. It is said that the duo had been directly involved in the attack. Suspected PFI activists had cut off Prof Joseph’s right hand in a Taliban-model attack for preparing a question paper that allegedly blasphemed Prophet Muhammad.

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