THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One person was stabbed to death on the premises of Beemapally Dargah Shereef here on Tuesday. Tension prevailed in the area for several hours following the incident.
The deceased had been identified as Ameer Hamza, 60, who was serving as `labba’ at the Kalladi Bava Dargah at Beemapally. He was a resident of Manikavilakam at Poonthura.
One person, identified as Mohammed Rashid of Kottoor, was arrested in connection with the murder.
Sources said that the incident occurred around 12 noon. Ameer Hamza allegedly denied entry to Mohammed Rashid inside the Dargah which led to an altercation between the two. In the melee, Mohammed Rashid stabbed Ameer Hamza on his chest and mouth. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he breathed his last on the way. The knife that had pierced Ameer Hamza’s mouth was removed by the doctors.
Local people who witnessed the incident turned violent and attacked Mohammed Rashid. A strong posse of police rushed to the spot immediately. But the local people refused to release Mohammed Rashid.
Later senior police officers, including IG Thiruvananthapuram Range Hemachandran reached the spot and pacified the violent mob, following which Mohammed Rashid was handed over to the police.
Police suspect that Mohammed Rashid was mentally ill. He had an altercation with Ameer Hamza a couple of days ago. Tuesday’s incident could be a preplanned one, police sources said.
The body of Ameer Hamza was handed over to relatives after post-mortem examination. Burial took place at Beemapally by late in the evening.
He is survived by wife Ramla Beevi, daughters Sunija and Mazeeda and son Barkath.