After Gauri Lankesh murder, Siddaramaiah to protect 'left-thinkers'

Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday night

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday deemed the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh an organised crime and assured to protect all 'left', 'progressive' thinkers in the state. The state government has formed a Special Investigating Team to probe the murder.

The Bengaluru police have detained two persons for questioning in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh. The Karnataka government has also formed a Special Investigating Team to probe the matter. Meanwhile, the state police questioned two people for derogatory and threatening Facebook posts against Gauri Lankesh.

Hours after the cowardly attack on Gauri, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting with senior police officers and Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy were a decision was taken to not hand over the case to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as of yet. "I met senior police officers and the Home Minister to take stock of the investigation so far. The matter is being investigated very seriously by a SIT that we have formed. The CID is currently investigating the Prof M M Kalburgi murder case and we will not hand over this case to the department yet. We will allow the SIT to proceed with the investigation," Siddaramaiah said.

The government has also decided to give protection to all free-thinkers, according to the Chief Minister. "We have decided to extend security to free, progressive and left-thinking people in the state," he said addressing the press after an emergency meeting with police officials.

CCTV captures act

Siddaramaiah also told media persons that one out of the four CCTV cameras installed outside Gauri's residence captured the murder. "One of the cameras has captured how one person entered the gate and shot at Gauri. She collapsed about 2 or 3 feet away. At this point, there is only so much evidence available. This is an organised crime and the assailants will be arrested soon," he said.

The family of the slain journalist has sought a CBI probe into the matter. The government has assured to keep an open mind about the same.

OneIndia News