Three more activists of Popular Front of India (PFI), a radical outfit, were arrested in connection with the July 4 attack on a lecturer, whose right hand was chopped off for allegedly preparing an inflammatory question paper.
 
With this, the total number of arrests in the case has gone up to 17.
 
Those arrested yesterday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case were Rashid, 30, Mahin Kutty, 35 and Anas, 29, police said toady.
 
Rashid and Mahin Kutty were reportedly indulged in an earlier attempt to assault the lecturer TJ Joseph. Anas was charged for the conspiracy, they said.
 
Joseph was attacked by suspected PFI activists for preparing a question paper which allegedly had derogatory references to Prophet Mohammed.
 
A court in Kerala had last week ordered attachment of property of Nasser, a PFI activist and one of the main accused in the case.
 
The SIT had issued lookout notice against Nasser, who is absconding.