MANGALURU: A Muslim youth was brutally attacked with a sword and hacked to death by two unidentified miscreants on Tuesday while unloading sand, while another was severely injured at Irakodi near Kuriyala in Bantwal taluk.
The deceased has been identified as Abdul Rahim, who was a pickup truck driver, while Kalandar suffered severe injuries and is being treated at a hospital.
Abdul Rahim and Kalandar were unloading from pickup vehicle sand when two miscreants arrived on a bike and attacked them with a sword. Abdul Rahim died on the spot while Kalandar was rushed to a hospital.
Bantwal Rural police visited the spot and conducted a preliminary investigation. A large crowd gathered outside the hospital, expressing anger against the police.
They alleged that the murder was a result of hate speech and demanded the arrest of Hindu leaders. They said that the murder would not have happened if the person who made the hate speech had been arrested.
Superintendent of Police Yatish stated that the incident occurred at 3.30 pm while Abdul Rahim was transporting sand. “The police have launched an investigation under the leadership of Bantwal DySP and are questioning suspects. Rahim was fatally attacked. He was declared dead when he was admitted to the hospital. Another person was injured and is receiving treatment”, the SP said.
“We are investigating the cause of the murder and the accused. An investigation has been launched under the leadership of the Bantwal Deputy SP. The suspects are being questioned. No other information can be disclosed as the investigation is ongoing”, SP added.
Following the murder, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Dakshina Kannada district, effective until 6 pm on May 30. The orders are in place in Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady, Sullia and Kadaba taluks, as per district magistrate Anand’s orders.
