Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Jun 22: A day after the murder of SDPI leader at Benjanapadavu here and the subsequent incidents of stone-pelting in various places, the taluk returned to normalcy Thursday June 22.
After the murder of SDPI Ammunje zonal president and auto rikshaw driver Ashraf in Benjanapadav on Wednesday, tension prevailed in B CRoad, Kaikamba, Farangipet, Thumbay, Melkar, Kalladka, Mani and other places. Shops and commercial establishments voluntarily closed their shutters. Police in Kalladka got the shops closed as a precautionary measure.
On Thursday, shops opened as usual in all the places. Traffic was also normal. No untoward incidents were reported.
The taluk is still under tight security to prevent any further trouble. IGP Harishekharan, new SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy, outgoing SP Bhushan G Borase and Chikkamagaluru SP Annamalai are stationed in Bantwal limits and controlling the situation.
SP Annamalai has been called considering the need for special security. He visited the sensitive areas and took stock of the situation.
ADGP Alok Mohan too arrived in Bantwal. He held discussions with police officials and gave them guidance.
Several people taken into custody
The slain Ashraf was laid to rest in Kalayi Juma Masjid late night. Thousands of people gathered and tight security was in place. A staff of Brahmarakootlu toll gate was injured in stone-pelting when the body was brought from Kannur to Kalayi. A complaint has been registered in Bantwal police station.
Five special teams including DCIB have been formed to arrest the suspects. Police are investigating various angles including personal motives. Several have been taken into custody for questioning. The police have reportedly got some important clues and are confident of arresting the accused soon.
Section 144 is in force in the district as a precautionary measure till June 27.
ADGP Alok Mohan visits Bantwal
"The situation in the taluk is calm and there are no problems. The Benjanapadav murder case is under investigation and the culprits will be arrested soon," said ADGP Alok Mohan.
He held a meeting of police officers at BC Road police station on Thursday evening and later spoke to reporters. "We have held discussions on how the investigations should be spread out. We will arrest the accused without delay," he said.
No permission for BC Road protest on June 24
"As section 144 is in force till June 27, not more than five people can assemble. Therefore no permission has been given for the proposed protest in BC Road on June 24," he said. He was referring to the protest planned by BJP with the support of VHP and Bajrang Dal to condemn Ramanath Rai over his purported instructions to the police to arrest Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat.
IGP Harishekaran, new SP Sudheer Kumar Reddy, outgoing SP Bhushan G Borase, Chikkamagaluru SP Annamalai, additional SP Vedamurthi and DySP Ravish were present.