THALASSERY: Two people were stabbed to death by a man who came to settle a dispute related to the sale of ganja. The deceased have been identified as Koduvally native Khalid (52) and Khalid's brother-in-law and CPM Nettur branch member Poovanazhi Shameer (48). Nettur native Shanib (24), who sustained a serious injury, has been admitted to Thalassery Cooperative Hospital.

According to the police, Koduvally native Parai Babu was the one who stabbed Khalid, Shameer and Shanib. Khalid died on the spot while Shameer died in Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode. Shanib was stabbed in the chest. The violence took place near the canteen of the Thalassery Cooperative Hospital at around 4:30 pm on Wednesday.

Shameer's son Shabeel was beaten by a group yesterday afternoon after he questioned the sale of ganja. Later, a five-member team led by Parai Babu came to settle the issue after learning that Shabeel was admitted to the cooperative hospital. Babu stabbed Khalid, Shanib and Shameer with a knife following an argument during the conversation. Parai Babu went into hiding soon after the incident. Police have taken three men named Jackson, Naveen and Sujith into custody. Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar Additional SP AV Pradeep and Thalassery ASP Nitin Raj visited the incident site. Khalid's body will be buried today at the mosque after post-mortem.

Khalid, a fisherman, is survived by his wife Seenath, children Parveena and Farseen. Shameer is survived by his wife Shamsheena and 2 children.