Shivamogga: A 23-year-old Bajrang Dal activist, Harsha was brutally murdered in the city on Sunday night. Sources said that a gang of four to five persons murdered the man at Bharathi Colony at around 9 pm.
On Sunday (February 20) night, Harsha was stabbed to death near Kamat petrol bunk in the Shivamogaa district of Karnataka. He was a tailor by occupation and hailed from Seegehatti. Harsha was seen sporting saffron shawls to demand uniformity in the dress code of schools and colleges.
Following the incident, tension prevailed across the city and police deployed forces in all the sensitive areas in the city.
According to sources, the gang which came in a car thrashed Harsha with lethal weapons. Seriously wounded Harsha was rushed to McGann Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.
The town, around 250 km from the state capital Bengaluru, had recently seen disruption in some colleges over the hijab row.
The reason behind the killing is not immediately known.
After the incident, some supporters of the deceased came out on the streets and vent their anger.
Television footage showed them pelting stones but it was not clear what their target was.
A day after the brutal murder of 26-year-old Hindu activist Harsha, Karnataka BJP Minister KS Eshwarappa did not mince any words while speaking about the victim’s killing.
While speaking to the media on Monday (February 21), he remarked, “I’m very disturbed by the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist. He was killed by ‘Musalmaan goondas’ (Muslim goons)…We’ll not allow goondaism.”
“We have the clue of the accused and they will be arrested soon. I have met the family of the deceased and told them that justice will be done,” Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said, reacting to the incident.
Condemning the incident, the minister said that they would send a clear message that nobody can escape from doing such acts. He called upon the people not to be emotional and to support the authorities in maintaining peace in the city.
Authorities clamped section 144 of CrPC in the city. Both DC Dr Selvamani and SP Lakshmiprasad visited the spot. DC Selvamani announced a holiday for schools and colleges in the city.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters that he is hopeful about the arrest of the culprits soon.
“The investigation has begun and some vital clues have been found. We are hopeful that soon the murderers would be arrested,” Bommai told reporters in Bengaluru.
He said he has given directions to the police to ensure that no untoward incident happens anywhere.
“I want to tell the people of Shivamogga that we have taken steps to arrest the murderers at the earliest. No one should fall prey to the rumours. They should maintain law and order,” Bommai said.
To a query on the leader of the opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah demanding Home Minister Araga Jnanendra’s resignation, the Chief Minister said Siddaramaiah “sees politics and talks illogical things”.
Jnanendra, who rushed to Shivamogga and met the victim’s family, told reporters that the police have got “vital clues” and would soon arrest those behind the incident.
“A 23-year old youth has been killed. Such incidents should not happen. Police have got the clue and surely they (the accused) will be arrested soon. I appeal to people to maintain calm,” the Home Minister told reporters.
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa, who is an MLA from Shivamogga, blamed ‘Musalmaan Goondas’ from his home district for the incident.
“Musalman Goondas have murdered our dedicated worker and a good boy of just 23 years, who was not even married. These Musalmans had never ever dared in Shivamogga,” Eshwarappa said.
Eshwarappa also sought to point a finger at the Congress state president D K Shivakumar saying “his statement emboldened the anti-social elements in the minority community”.
“Due to D K Shivakumar’s provocative statement that the tricolour was removed (recently) and the saffron flag was hoisted in the school ground in Shivamogga and 50 lakh saffron scarves were distributed, Musalmaan Goondas were emboldened,” Eshwarappa said.
He asserted that he will not allow “rowdyism” to happen in Shivamogga and such elements will be brought under control.
He also said that he will see to it that all the “problems: of the family of the victim are addressed.”
Sri Ram Sena convener Pramod Muthalik demanded a ban on the People’s Front of India and the Social Democratic Party of India.
Deputy Commissioner Selvamani R told reporters that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been clamped in the town and orders have been given to shut all the schools and colleges.
“Police are investigating the case and trying to find out the criminals. We are also working with them. Already Section 144 has been clamped in the entire city. So, we have announced a holiday for the schools and colleges,” Selvamani said.
Superintendent of Police B M Lakshmi Prasad told reporters that a task force has been formed to track down those behind the incident.
“Our priority is to find them and get them punished. We request people to cooperate with us and not to act emotionally,” Prasad told reporters.