Mangaluru : Dakshina Kannada district police have taken five persons into custody in the Ashraf murder case. They will be produced in court on Saturday and police custody will be sought. Investigation teams are deputed to secure remaining accused, said,  Harishekharan, Inspector General of Police (IGP), (western range).

Pawan Kumar alias Punda (24), Ranjith (28) and Abhin Rai alias Abhi (23) of Bantwal and Santosh alias Santhu (23) and Shivaprasad alias Shivu (24) of Thumbay are the suspects who are arrested, he said.

Ashraf, a native of Kalaai, and an active SDPI worker was murdered near an engineering college at Benjanapadavu on Thursday, allegedly by motorcycle borne miscreants. The incident had put an already volatile Bantwal taluk on the boil with many areas in and around B C Road observing an impromptu Bandh.

Police had ramped up security across DK and City Police limits following the murder. Prohibitory orders imposed in four taluks of the district was extended to Mangaluru taluk as well to prevent any untoward incident. Police are on high alert given that end of Ramadan month observed by Muslims is drawing to a close and they are in the alacrity of observing Eid, either on Monday or Tuesday, subject to sighting of moon.

C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Superintendent of Police, DK. were present.