Hartal in Kasargod as Madrassa teacher hacked to death

Kasargod: A 34-year-old madrassa teacher was hacked to death by unidentified assailants near here in the wee hours Tuesday, police said.

Riaz was fatally attacked in his room attached to a mosque around 1.30 am. The mosque's 'imam' Aziz Wahabhi, who was staying in another room, rushed out hearing screams of Riaz.

However, he was forced to retreat as stones were thrown at the building, police said.

He then called for help through the mosque's public address system, following which the assailants fled away.

A profusely bleeding Riaz was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved, police said adding the body had been sent to his hometown Madikere in neighbouring Karnataka.

The motive for the murder was under investigation.

A large posse of police had been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident, police said adding senior officials were camping at the spot.

Condeming the murder, IUML observed a day-long hartal in the town and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

Kasargod District Collector Jeevan Babu held a peace meeting which was attended by local leaders.