Date:12/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/12/stories/2008041260380300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Three held for robbing newspaper employee

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Chengamanad police on Friday arrested three persons on charges of waylaying a passenger near the Cochin international airport and robbing him off his travel documents.

Those arrested were identified as Najeeb, 30, son of Abdul Khader, Karippedikkal Veedu, Kunjunnikkara, Oliyannur, Aluva; Siyad, 26, son of Abdullakutty, Meparambu House, Dar-ul-Salam Road, Kappalandimukku, Mattanchery; and Firoz, 26, son of Ali, Kuzhikandathil Veedu, Kappalandimukku, Mattanchery. Thajudeen, 26, of Kunjunnikara, Aluva, was arrested in connection with the case on Thursday.

Six persons had stopped the car in which Syed Omar Abdul Khader of Thrikkaripur was travelling with his family, friend and driver.

He was to board a Riyadh-bound Saudi Airlines flight on April 5.

The accused stopped the car at a desolate portion of the airport road near the golf course under construction in the airport control zone.

The accused later managed to escape by driving away to the airport side.

The police said that Syed Omar was an employee of a Malayalam daily and the accused, all activists of the National Democratic Front, were the employees of another.

Motive

The aim of the assaulters was to prevent Mr. Khader from reporting for duty.

The accused were arrested from near the Aluva railway station. The police are on the look out for some others involved in the case.