Tension continues in the coastal city of Mangaluru following the bandh called by Hindu organisations on Friday in protest against the murder of Suhas Shetty (42), a former Bajrang Dal worker.
In view of the seriousness of the situation, the police department has imposed prohibitory orders in the communally-sensitive coastal district.
ADGP (Law and Order) R. Hitendra, speaking to the media on Friday, stated that Suhas Shetty's family has informed the police that the final rites will be held in Bantwal, and security arrangements have been made accordingly.
The police have gathered names and other leads related to the accused, and arrests will be made soon.
“We appeal to the public to maintain law and order in the region. When you consider the history of the Mangaluru region, these developments are not entirely unexpected. However, strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty,” he said.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a bandh until 6 pm to condemn the killing of Suhas Shetty.
VHP activists are also demanding police permission to take Suhas Shetty's body in a procession from Karinja near Bantwal to his residence in the Pulimajalu locality.
The bandh is being observed across Mangaluru district, with shops and commercial establishments remaining shut.
Private buses, the main mode of transport in the district, have stopped operating following reports of stone-pelting earlier in the day. However, RTC buses are continuing to run.
BJP state President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra is visiting Mangaluru to pay his last respects to Suhas Shetty. A statement from his office alleged that Suhas Shetty was hacked to death.
Regarding the Mangaluru incident, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is also the district incharge minister for Mangaluru, is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday to discuss the recent disturbing developments.
A statement from Minister Rao’s office said, “In the wake of the two murder cases in Mangaluru in the recent past, the Minister will discuss with the Chief Minister the actions taken by the police and the need to maintain strict law and order.”
Reacting to the developments, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, stated on Friday, “Under the Congress rule, Karnataka is no place for Hindus. Just like in Kashmir and West Bengal’s Murshidabad, Hindus are being identified and killed in broad daylight.”
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose heart beats for peace in Pakistan, becomes numb when Hindus are killed in Karnataka. The brutal murder of Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru once again exposes the crumbling law and order situation under the Congress government's appeasement politics,” he claimed.
Sharan Pumpwell, a senior VHP leader, alleged that Suhas Shetty was waylaid and murdered by members of a banned Muslim organisation while traveling in his vehicle.
“It was a pre-planned murder with direct involvement of the banned Islamic terrorist organisation PFI. The VHP and other Hindu organisations strongly condemn this act,” he said.
“This bandh call has been given by Hindu organisations led by the VHP. I appeal to the public to observe a total bandh in protest against the killing of this Hindu activist. I also urge the police to arrest the accused at the earliest,” he added.
PM Modi inaugurates Rs 8,900 cr Vizhinjam port, calls it ‘big achievement in India’s maritime security’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation 'Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport' worth Rs 8,900 crore on Friday. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and many dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Vizhinjam International Seaport: India’s 1st automated deep-sea port set to transform maritime trade
The idea and efforts of establishing a deep-sea port at Vizhinjam dates back to 1991. Over the years, multiple attempts were made to initiate the project, but it faced several challenges, including security concerns and legal disputes related to bidding and lack of investor interest.
Kedarnath temple doors open for devotees after long wait
After months of anticipation, the sacred portals of Baba Kedarnath were opened for public darshan on Friday. With this, the Char Dham Yatra has officially commenced, allowing devotees to embark on the spiritual journey to the Himalayan shrines for the next six months.
Nepal Foreign Affairs Minister expresses grief over death of Nepali student at Odisha's KIIT University
The Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal, Arzu Rana Deuba, on Friday expressed deep grief over the death of a Nepali female student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
20-day cleanliness campaign for transformed Delhi to begin today under CM Gupta
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a comprehensive 20-day cleanliness campaign across the city, stating that Delhi will undergo a "visible transformation" starting Friday, with officials being personally responsible for the cleanliness of every street, park, footpath, and public space.
Social pension: Tripura govt sets up new help desk for cancer patients
To ensure timely payment of social pension among the cancer patients, the Tripura government on Thursday set up a new help desk at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Regional Cancer Centre (AVBRCC) in Agartala.
Tripura: Forest Dept to form intelligence wing to curb deforestation
In a bid to curb deforestation, illegal felling of trees and timber smuggling, the Tripura Forest Department would create its own intelligence wing and strengthen its own protection unit, Minister Animesh Debbarma said on Thursday.
No Pakistani national in Tripura, says CM Manik Saha
The Chief Minister’s remarks came in response to the Central government's recent directive to all states and Union Territories to identify and deport Pakistani citizens following the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.