Bajrang dal activist hacked to death; cops arrest 4, impose prohibitory orders in Mangaluru

A recent incident involving the death of a teenager in Honnavar had led to communal clashes in Dakshin Kannada district of Karnataka

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Mangaluru following the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist. In swift action, the police have arrested four people suspected of hacking a 25-year-old to death in broad daylight. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well pro-Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, have claimed that the deceased was a Hindu activist and a volunteer with the organisation.

Deepak Rao was hacked to death by a group of assailants in Katipalla in Mangaluru on Wednesday afternoon. Within hours, the police zeroed in on suspects made arrests. Mulki Naushad, Rizwan, Pinky Nawaz, Nirshaan were arrested after the police gave them a chase and fired shots in the air compelling them to surrender. Anticipating trouble, T R Suresh the commissioner of police, Mangaluru has imposed prohibitory orders under section 35 of Karnataka Police Act.

"A gang of four or five people waylaid him and hacked him to death. We are yet to verify his antecedents. A case has been registered with the Suratkal police," said Hanumantharaya, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order. The deceased was travelling on his bike when he was assaulted. The assailants came in a car and cornered Deepak before hacking him to death. Th emotive of the murder is yet to be ascertained.

The Bajrangdal has claimed that Deepak was a volunteer with the Pro-Hindu outfit. "He was a worker of the Bajrangdal. He had participated in many of our programs. He was not an enrolled member but was a volunteer," said Surya Narayan, State Convenor, Bajrang Dal. All shops in the vicinity of the crime scene were shut down and tension has been simmering in the communally sensitive area.

A crowd had gathered outside the police station as news of the attack spread. Dakshin Kannada district has been witnessing communal tensions with political parties giving communal colours to unfortunate deaths. The death of a teenager in Honnavar had led to communal clashes after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders alleged that the deceased was a Hindu activist killed by "jehadis" in a clash.

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