Congress Worker murdered due to political rivalry

Kolar Gold Fields, Apr 1 (UNI) It is murky politics again in Srinivasapur in Kolar district with one more person killed owing to political rivalry.

Mr N Srinivas (38) a close follower of former Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar was hacked to death late last evening allegedly by Janata Dal (Secular) workers in Channagaripally in Srinivasapur taluk.

Following the killing violence broke out in many villages in the taluk and scores of huts belonging to JD(S) supporters were torched and also business establishments particularly of the JD(S) supporters were targeted both in Srinivasapur as well as in Somayajalahalli village.

Meanwhile, Police arrested nine people, including prime accused Muniraja Reddy and others.

The trouble started with land dispute between Venkataramana Reddy and Krishna Reddy of Channayagaripally. A minor scuffle took place few days back between rival groups in which four people sustained minor injuries. Last evening a group reportedly attacked Venkataramana Reddy and both groups indulged in stone pelting. In the melee N Srinivas who resides in Somayajalahalli adjacent to Channayagaripally received a phone call reportedly by a lady asking him to come down to Channayagarapalli to bring about 'truce' between rival group. Not knowing that it was a 'ploy' by his political rivals to finish him, Srinivas along with brother in law left for Channagayaripally. As he was entering the village a group of people attacked him with lethal weapons and killed him on the spot, while his brother Nagaraj escaped with minor injuries.

As the news of killing spread across the taluk Congress workers took to streets in Somayajapalli village and Srinivasapur early this morning and began targetting the properties belonging to JD(S) workers. It was learnt that 14 huts of JD(S) supporters were gutted and a shopping complex of Krishna Reddy of JD(S) were damaged in Somayajapalli. In Srinivasapur also Congress workers damaged a hotel owned by Rajanna, ZP member. Violent incidents have also been reported from few other villagers. Srinivasapur town observed a total bundh till in the afternoon and all vehicular traffic including buses and other private vehicles were off the road.

Additional Director General (Law and Order) Shankar Bidari and Inspector General (Central Range) Jayaprakash have been camping in Srinivasapur.

The situation in both Srinivasapur and Somayajalapalli were reported to be tense but well under control.

UNI