Stray violence in Mysore as protests erupt after BJP worker's murder

Mysuru, Mar 14: A BJP worker was hacked to death by unidentified assailants here, leading to a bandh marked by stray violence in the city today.

Raju (30) was attacked with machetes and other lethal weapons when he was drinking tea in a roadside stall with his friend yesterday evening.

He was rushed to K R Hospital where he was declared brought dead, police said. Demanding immediate arrest of culprits, BJP called for a Mysuru bandh today.

Angry protesters set an autorickshaw afire and stoned a police jeep and several buses, besides forcing closure of shops, police said.

The protesters ransacked several shops in Devaraja Market and deflated tyres of buses during the bandh, forcing police to lathicharge them at two places.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the city. In Mangaluru, Home Minister G Parameshwara said all steps have been taken to arrest the assailants soon and no political colour should be given to the incident.

State DGP Om Prakash said additional police force, including Karnataka State Reserve Police, had been deployed to maintain law and order and appealed for communal harmony.

PTI