Kasargod: Manjeshwar Police have arrested the prime accused in the case of alleged gang rape of a young woman near Paivalike. The arrested person is Zakki alias Zakaria (27) of Paivalike Bayar. Police are on the lookout for the other two accused in the case.

The incident was reported on Tuesday August 5 evening when the 21 year old woman who was returning home from the Bayar Pete was intercepted by three bike bound men. She was then dragged to a rubber plantation at Bayar Sunnada where she was allegedly gang raped. The trio had fled the scene when the girl raised a cry and people rushed to the place. The locals could identify Zakaria as one among the culprits and a search was launched for him.

The victim, who was also stabbed by the accused in a blunt  object,  is now said to be recovering in the Kasargod General Hospital.

Police said Goonda Act was invoked earlier  against the accused in September 2013 and that he was subsequently arrested. Police have also stated that Zakaria was an accused in at least  five cases including the case of stabbing Prasad of Bayaru, assault on Haneef  and attack Hamza of Paivalike and Dinesh of Peruvad.

Hartal withdrawn: In the meantime, the Hartal call given by the Sangh Parivar in Paivalike on Thursday August 7 demanding the arrest of the accused, has been withdrawn following the arrest of the prime accused. Still shops in the area remained closed and even buses were off roads until 10 am. However, bus services resumed and shops opened later on.