Verdict in Marad case on Nov 29

Kozhikode, Nov 28: A Special Court hearing of the case of the ghastly second Marad violence that claimed nine lives in this district of Kerala on May 2, 2003, will pronounce its verdict here on Friday, Nov 28 amid tight security.

As many as 137 people were arrested in connection with the mob violence which was a sequel to an earlier clash that claimed five lives at Marad, a fishing village on the Kozhikode Coast, in January 2002.

One of the accused in the case died during the pendency of the proceedings while two were absconding.

The prime accused in the second incident of violence, Marad Thekkeppurath Mohammedali, is the brother of Aboobacker who was killed in the 2002 clash.

The accused have been charged under Sec 302, 307, 326, 427,143, 147, 148, 149 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Some of them are booked under the Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and the Religious Institution (Prevention of Misuse) Act and Sec 120 (b) of the IPC.

Meanwhile, the district administraton had clamped prohibitory orders in certain areas of the city for three days in view of the pronouncement of the verdict.

The dawn-to-dusk prohibitory orders issued by District Collector A Jayathilak would be in force in Beypore and Marad Police Station Limits of the special court at Erahipalam to Karaparamba and East Nadakkavu.

As part of tightening security, the strength of the police force and patrolling at Marad had been increased, the sources said.

The district collector had summoned a meeting of district level leaders of political parties, to discuss issues relating to the pronoucement of the verdict, later in the day.

UNI