Three arrested in Bantwal murder case, Karnataka govt forms ‘Anti-Communal Wing’

MANGALURU: Joint teams of the Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada police have arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of Abdul Rahiman, a pickup truck driver, and the serious assault on another, Kalandar Shafi.

The incident occurred on May 27 at Irakodi, Kuriyala village, Bantwal Rural police station limits. The arrested individuals have been identified as Deepak, Prithviraj and Chintan. Police have also registered a case against them under various sections.

According to the Dakshina Kannada District Police, “The Bantwal Rural police station had registered a case under Sections 191(1), 191(2), 191(3), 118(1), 118(2), 109, and 103 of the 190 BNS 2023. The arrested individuals identified as 21-year-old Deepak, 21-year-old Prithviraj and 19-year old Chintan”.

Home Minister G Parameshwara announced the formation of an Anti-Communal Wing to address and prevent communal incidents in the state. “The government is taking the Mangaluru incident very seriously. We can’t just sit back and stay silent if such things happen repeatedly. I had visited during the last murder incident, too. At that time, I had spoken about setting up an Anti-Communal Wing”, Parameshwara said while speaking to reporters.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On state government to form Anti-Communal Task Force, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara says, “We have taken a decision to constitute an Anti-Communal Force, within the police department. When the naxal activity was there, we created an Anti-Naxal Force.… pic.twitter.com/T1txwMYY5J

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025

He confirmed that an Anti-Communal Wing has been set up in light of the incident. Parameshwara added, “Now, an official government order has been issued for it. An immediate directive has been given to constitute an Anti-Communal Wing. The government is determined to put an end to these incidents”.

#WATCH | Bantwal murder case | Bengaluru | Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao says, “…Violence in the name of religion to take revenge, it is becoming a regular occurrence…A strict action should be taken against them…This atmosphere of hatred, which is being built… pic.twitter.com/OK7qYAsDQA

— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025

Meanwhile, District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has strongly condemned the murder of Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal, calling it a disturbing pattern of religiously motivated violence.

Speaking to the media, Rao said, “Violence in the name of religion to take revenge, it is becoming a regular occurrence…A strict action should be taken against them…This atmosphere of hatred, which is being built up, has to be controlled now.”

He added, “We cannot let this go any further. We need to take strong measures. This violence is not suitable for anybody. This Abdul Rahim was an innocent man, with no criminal record. He was well-respected amongst the people. We will be taking further decisions shortly,” Rao stated. (ANI)