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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Nov 19: The police have arrested two persons in connection with the murder of Harish Poojary which took place at Manihalla near BC Road a few days ago.

The arrested are rowdy-sheeters Bhuvith Shetty (25) and Achyuta (28).



Bhuvith Shetty

Addressing a press meet at SP office here on Thursday November 19, IGP Amrit Paul said that following the murder of Harish and attack on his friend Samiulla on November 12, a special police team was formed under the leadership of Bantwal ASP and ACP, and after seven days of thorough investigation, the Bantwal town police arrested Bhuvith and Achyuta. Rest of three accused in the case will be arrested soon, he said.

To a question whether the arrested belong to right-wing outfits, the IGP replied in the affirmative but added that the role of the outfits in the case is yet to be ascertained. During interrogation, it was revealed that it was a case of mistaken identity as the attackers thought Harish to be from the other community. The accused said they carried out the crime as they wanted to do something about the 'injustice' happening against the majority community, the IGP said.

The IGP also informed that Bhuvith was the same person who had earlier been arrested for justifying the murder of Prof M M Kalburgi and issuing death threat to Prof K S Bhagwan on Twitter.

Bhuvith is already facing three criminal cases while Achyuta is an accused in two cases, Amrit Paul said.

Referring to the stone-pelting on SDPI protest at BC Road against the Madikeri violence on Tipu Jayanti, the IGP said that on November 12, without obtaining permission from the police either for protest or to use mikes, around 50 to 75 SDPI members gathered at the tahsildar's office to submit a memorandum and held a meet.

"When SDPI leader Haneef Khan Kodaje was making a provocative speech during the meet, a few miscreants who were at the back of the same building began throwing stones. The SDPI activists also retaliated by pelting stones on the miscreants. The police rushed to the spot immediately and additional force was also called. The police resorted to lathi charge on both the groups and dispersed them. Both the groups then pelted stones at various places like BC Road, bus stand, Kaikamba but the police managed to bring the situation under control. A case was then filed against Haneef Khan Kodaje for making an inflammatory speech, and also, cases were filed against members of both the groups for pelting stones and damaging property," the IGP said.

"The same evening, at around 7.30, Harish and Samiulla who were going by bike were attacked by unknown persons near Old Gate. The police rushed to the spot and on investigation, it was learnt that the attackers came in a blue Omni, waylaid the bike and stabbed Harish to death and injured Samiulla," he said.

"As bandh was called by some organizations on November 13, the police department imposed Section 144 to maintain law and order. Also, additional KSRP force, reserve battalion from Kerala and other districts were called and bandobast was done at sensitive areas. The same day, Harish's final rites were held and about 4,000 people gathered, for which the police had deployed adequate security. In the evening, at Golithottu in Uppinangady, persons named Mohammed Haris and Abdul Rahiman of Kokkada were attacked, and in these two cases, three were arrested the same evening and sent to Ballari jail.

"Also, 13 were arrested for obstructing the Puttur rural SI from carrying out his official duty, and they too have been sent to Ballari jail. With regard to group clashes and stone pelting under Bantwal town police limits, 11 accused have been arrested and sent to Ballari jail," he added.

Appealing to the public to maintain peace, the IGP said, "It is the duty of people of all communities to maintain peace and order in society. It is regretable that a lot of youth today are getting involved in anti-social activities and wasting their precious time and spoiling their lives. Also, people should not pay any attention to rumours circulating in social media and help the police in maintaining peace."

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