MANGALURU: A virtual bandh was forced in Moodbidri town on Friday following the brutal murder of a right-wing activist.

A gang of six unidentified miscreants attacked flower merchant Prashanth Poojary, 29, and murdered him near his shop at Samaja Mandir Gate in Moodabidri, 40km from here. He was a resident of Hosabettu village.

The attack happened at 7.30am while he was bringing fresh flowers to his shop. Six miscreants on three two-wheelers swooped down on him with lethal weapons and attacked him. Prashant, a member of the Bajrang Dal, was seriously injured and rushed to a private hospital in Mangaluru. He succumbed to severe injuries to the chest and abdomen.

According to sources, the victim named three attackers before he died. Police officers were not available for comment. Saffron activists warned of severe protests if the accused are not arrested soon.

Following the incident, tension prevailed in and around Moodbidri town in spite of a police bandobast. Two journalists from the electronic media who had gone to cover the event were assaulted and their camera was damaged.

The body was kept for public viewing at Moodbidri bus stand after which there was some trouble and police resorted to a lathi charge. Bus services were completely off on that route and officegoers and students had a tough time returning home.

Bus operators said no buses operated since 8am as they were stopped by protesters and private vehicles too were not allowed and there were stray incidents of stone pelting. However, buses to Karkala went via Padubidri giving commuters some relief.