Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Aug 7: Police on Thursday August 7 arrested the main accused in the abduction, gang-rape and stabbing of a 21-year-old girl that occured at Bayar on Tuesday August 5.

The arrested is identified as Bayar resident Zakki alias Zakaria (27). Police are searching for the other two accused in the case.

The three men had come by bike allegedly dragged the girl to a rubber plantations at Bayar and gang-raped her. When she resisted their attack, they reportedly stabbed her.

The three men had fled in their bike after locals came rushing on hearing the screams of the victim. They had identified Zakaria among the men who fled and a complaint was lodged at Manjeshwar police station.

The girl is recovering in Kasargod general hospital. Medical examination confirmed the rape, souces said.

It is said that the accused is involved in several cases. He was booked under Goonda Act earlier and released after serving two months' sentence in jail.

Manjeshwar police had arrested him in September 2013. The police said that he is an accused in more than five cases, including attempt to murder Prasad, a Bayar resident. He is also the main accused in the kidnapping and assault of Haneef, a resident near Bayar mosque. He is also an accused of assaulting Paivalike resident Hamza and Peruvad resident Dinesh.

The protest planned by Sangha Parivar in Paivalike panchayat limits urging for the arrest of rape accused was withdrawn following the arrest of Zakaria, said leaders of Sangha Parivar. Shops and business establishments had remained closed till 10 am and buses were off the road following calls by Sangh Parivar to take part in the protest. Normalcy was restored after the protest was called off.