Absconding accused arrested after 20 years

The Puthenvelikkara police have arrested a man accused of knocking down a police officer after more than 20 years of the incident.

The accused was identified as Manoj, 45, of Puthenvelikkara. The incident happened in 2004. He allegedly knocked down a sub-inspector, Sunil Kumar, who was checking a vehicle carrying illicitly mined sand. He was arrested and remanded. However, he went into hiding when released on bail. He was nabbed from Vallichira in Pala, the police said.