THRISSUR: The police arrested the accused in the case of killing a Yuva Morcha leader, after many years. The arrested is Nazarulla Thangal, accused in Periyambalam Manikandan murder case. Thangal is from Puthiyangadi in Chavakkad. Thangal, the second accused is an activist of the banned organization Popular Front (PFI). The NIA is also interrogating the accused brought to Vadakkedad police station. It is not clear whether any crucial statements were obtained from him.

Manikandan, who was the general secretary of Yuva Morcha in Guruvayur Constituency, was hacked to death on June 12, 2004. The case is that the murder was committed following the enmity of thrashing the NDF workers. Thangal went into hiding after the trial in the case started. The police conducted an investigation but could not find him. He was arrested after years when the investigation is still going on. The court had sentenced Khalil, the first accused, to life imprisonment in the Manikandan murder case. There were nine accused and seven of them were acquitted. Thangal did not face trial.

Thangal is also the twelfth accused in the murder case of Youth Congress leader Naushad. The police are trying to find the people who helped him to stay in hiding.