7 held for land grab bid

Seven persons were arrested here today for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to take forceful possession of the land, house and money of a businesswoman by threatening her, police said.

Police said the ordeal of the woman began after she bought a house and plot from one Kamaluddin. After selling the properties to the woman, Kamaluddin, a jewellery owner, allegedly threatened her and her family seeking more money. They allegedly threatened her, by claiming they were very close to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, police said. Acting on a complaint filed by the woman with the state police chief, police arrested the seven perons, alleged to be part of a land mafia.