Kerala’s hand chopping case: radical leader summoned

(Aug.10,2010) In connection with chopping off the hand of a Catholic college professor last month in southern India’s Kerala State, police on Monday summoned the state unit president of a radical Muslim group, Popular Front of India, PFI. Naserudeen Elamaram has been asked to appear before the Muvattupuzha police on Thursday. Another top PFI functionary T. Koya has been summoned on Monday, sources said.
Eighteen activists of PFI have so far been arrested for the attack. Suspected PFI activists chopped off the hand of T.J. Joseph on July 4, for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed in a question paper. Joseph taught Malayalam at the Church-run New Man College in Thodupuzha.
In a related development, a court in Muvattupuzha on Friday, ordered the confiscation of all assets belonging to a man called Nassar, believed to be the mastermind in the attack on Joseph. The state revenue officials on Monday, began the procedure for confiscation of assets belonging to Nassar, who has been on the run ever since the incident.
Joseph was attacked while returning from church with his sister and aged mother. His right palm has since been sewn back. Doctors say only time will tell, if his hand will be normal again.