With Inputs from Mounesh Vishwakarma
Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Jun 21: A man was brutally hacked to death in broad daylight at Benjanapadavu here on Wednesday June 21.
Ashraf Kalayi, president of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Ammunje zonal unit, was murdered by a gang which attacked him with swords at Benjanapadavu in the taluk, it is gathered.
Ashraf had hoisted the flag of the party at Kalayi on account of the Foundation Day of the party. Noting that Kalayi road has lot of potholes and rainwater that has got collected in them was creating problems for the masses, he had led volunteers in filling the potholes with stones so that the people did not have much problem, said sources in SDPI.
Ashraf Kalai
Ashraf, who was taking his auto rickshaw, was requested by a gang to take them to Benjanapadavu on hire. However, once there, they attacked him with swords and killed him in a violent way, said A M Athaulla, general secretary of SDPI Dakshina Kannada district unit.
Sources however said that Ashraf was returning after dropping Sheenappa Poojary, a local, at some place when, five to six assailants attacked him swords. Ashraf used to go for collection of Sheenappa Poojary's beedies everyday. He was returning home at about 11.30 am after collecting beedies when he has been assaulted and killed. In an attempt to escape the assault, Ashraf ran inside Sheenappa's house but the assailants chased him and killed him there. As Ashraf sustained serious injuries to his head, he died on the spot.
It is said that the assailants were masked and escaped after the murder. There is suspicion that the murder was committed on account of past enmity.
A tense atmosphere prevailed at the spot following the murder. As news spread, nearby places like Kalladka and Melkar shut down completely.
The sword used by the assailants was found at the crime spot. Bantwal police have registered a criminal case.
Five police teams have been formed to nab the suspects and it is learnt that the teams have already obtained iimportant clues. One team has been sent to arrest the suspects. IGP Harishekaran speaking to reporters said that the suspects will be arrested regardless of their status or organization.
Besides IGP Harishekaran, SP Bhushan G Borase, additional police officers Vedamurthi, investigating department DySP Rama Rao, Bantwal DySP Ravish, Inspector Manjayya, SI Rakshit visited the spot and brought the situation under control. A group of people hurled stones at some houses in Benjanapadavu and Kalayi. Two children from a house ran away as stones fell on their houses, and the locals brought them back. The group destroyed a podium of Hindu Jagarana Vedike.
Tension prevailed in the taluk after the murder. Police dispersed angry crowds gathered in many places. Shops in Farangipete, B C Road, Kaikamba, Kalladka, Addoor, Melkar, B C Road town pulled down their shutters due to the prevailing situation.
Dakshina Kannada district DC Dr K G Jagadeesh visited Kalladka and took stock of the situation. Bantwal tahsildar Purandara Hegde, IGP Harishekaran, SP Bhushan G Borase were present.
Section 144 extended:
Sec 144 that has already been imposed in four taluks of the district, excluding Mangaluru, will continue till June 27.