Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jul 20: It has been 16 days since Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist, Sharath, was killeld by motor-bike borne assailants. The police seem to have not made any headway in identifying the killers so far.

Six police teams under the guidance of director general of police (DGP) and other senior officers have been involved with the operation to nab the culprits since the last 15 days. The fact that the police investigation has not made progress has given rise to several suspicions.

A few days back, western range inspector general of police (IGP), Harishekaran, had told the media that the police have gained access to some clinching information about the accused, duly exuding the confidence of arresting them soon. Additional director general of police Alok Mohan who visited the district in later days, also had repeated what the IGP had stated. Thereafter, the DGP came here and held meeting with officers. Still, the killers have remained at large, raising many eyebrows.

In the meanwhile, political leaders from across several parties visited Sharath's residence and consoled the grieving family members. They also told the bereaved family that they would bring pressure towards arresting the culprits. However, prohibitory orders are getting extended on due dates, while there is no word about arresting of the murderers.

Were all CCTV cameras defunct ?

Hazy scene of three people seated on a motor bike escaping from the scene of crime after attacking Sharath has been captured by a CCTV camera installed at the spot. The scene captured by this camera lacks in clarity so their identities could not be properly established, the police say. People are curious to know whether all other CCTV cameras in nearby buildings and shops were not functioning that day. There is no word about footage pooled from these cameras. Sharath was attacked when prohibitory orders were in force and tight police patrolling and checking at check posts was in full swing. Stil, the police failed to zero in on the culprits, a fact which the people of the taluk find hard to digest.

13 people who are facing the charge of pelting stones during the funeral procession of Sharath continue to be lodged in jail. At the same, it is ironic that the killers of Sharath are moving about freely.

Post funeral rites of Sharath today

The post funeral rites of Sharath Madiwala will be performed on Thursday July 20 at Lord Vinayaka Shankaranarayana Durgamba temple auditorium at Nandavar. BJP leaders said that a meeting to pay tributes to Sharath will be held at 12 pm. Local assistant superintendent of police, Dr Arun, has informed that additional police personnel will be posted in and around Nandavar today.