MALAPPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a raid at the houses of SDPI activists in Manjeri. Five houses were searched. The NIA officials from Kochi started the raid Friday morning at 3. Four have been taken into custody.

The raid was completed in an hour. One each from four houses was taken into custody. One more is yet to be arrested. The search is on for him.

The NIA officials told their families that they are being taken in connection with a case and that they will be released after detailed interrogation if convinced of not doing anything wrong. One of those in custody is the branch president of SDPI. Two are goldsmiths.