MANGALURU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha worker Praveen Nettaru was hacked to death with lethal weapons by unidentified people who came on a motorcycle at Bellare in Dakshina Kannada district on late Tuesday evening.
Praveen had just closed his poultry shop and was to return home when he was brutally murdered. He was chased for about 30 metres from his shop and collapsed. He had recently started Akshaya Farm Fresh Chicken Centre
On Wednesday, Sullia, Kadaba and Bellare taluks observed a complete bandh and only medical stores and hospitals were open. As a precautionary measure, additional police forces were deployed.
In view of the procession of Praveen’s body, the police had removed all types of flags along the Bellare-Nettaru route, including that of the Campus Front of India and SDPI.
The body of Praveen will be laid to rest near his house in Nettaru. The post-mortem was conducted at the Puttur government hospital by forensic expert Mahabaleshwar Shetty from the K D Hegde Medical College, Mangaluru.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed his deep condolences to the family members of the BJP leader and assured them that justice will be served soon.
“The barbaric killing of our party activist Praveen Nettaru from Dakshina Kannada district is condemnable. The perpetrators of such a heinous act will be arrested soon and punished under the law. May Praveen’s soul rest in peace. May God bless his family with the strength to bear this pain. Om Shanti,” tweeted Bommai today.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, wo termed it an unfortunate incident, said there were no streetlights at the place of attack. “The attackers came on motorcycles and murdered him. These villages are on the Kerala border and the police conducting operations since Tuesday night to trace the attackers. They are also coordinating with Kerala police. It’s natural that locals will be enraged, but we are working to maintain peace. Nobody should take the law into their hands”, he said.
Further, the minister said, “We have given necessary instructions to the police and an ADGP level will visit Mangaluru. Those forces who were behind the hijab row are creating problems. We will put down such forces. we will not let Praveen’s death go in vain.”
Later, speaking to Public TV, Jnanendra said, “I have spoken to senior officers and various teams have been formed. We are also coordinatng with Kerala police. Our CM will talk to the Kerala CM today itself”.