MALAPPURAM: A youth was stabbed to death while trying to save his friend from an attack. The dead is Prajith (26), son of Punnakodan Chandran near Kuzhiyamparambu Church in Malappuram. The incident happened near the GLP School at Kizhisseri Kuzhiyamparambu.

A group of people had attacked Prajith's friend Noufal of Pokkanali in Malappuram. He was also stabbed. Prajith was stabbed while preventing this. The Kondotty police had taken two people of Edavanna and Pookolathur into custody.

A group who came in an auto at around 5:30 pm last evening was seen talking to Noufal and it soon turned into a verbal dispute. Prajith, who was drinking tea after his work, saw them pushing Noufal. He walked towards them to find out what was happening. Prajith was stabbed in the chest while preventing the group from stabbing Noufal. He was stabbed more than once. Prajith fell on the road while running after them. In the meanwhile, the group escaped from the place. The locals rushed Prajith to Manjeri Medical College Hospital, but he died on the way. Noufal was stabbed in his hand. He sought treatment at the medical college hospital.

The body of Prajith has been shifted to the mortuary of Kozhikode Medical College. He was a bachelor. He leaves behind his mother Parvathy and brothers Praveen and Pranav.

The police are also investigating whether the murder is related to drug dealing. The locals complain that drug use is on the rise in the area.