Popular ‘Kallega Tigers’ team leader hacked to death by gang

MANGALURU: The leader of the popular coastal tiger dance team ‘Kallega Tigers’ was hacked to death by a gang at the Nehru Nagar Junction off the Mani-Mysuru National Highway in Puttur on Monday night.

Akshay Kallega (24), who led the Kallega Tigers dance team, was hacked to death by a gang with machetes. It is said that the accused, Manish and Chetu, residents of Bannur, surrendered to the police, while another accused is absconding.

According to sources, a clash started between Akshay and a private bus driver, who is an associate of Chetu, over an accident between two-wheelers. They started arguing about paying Rs 2,000 towards repairs. The argument heated up and finally led to Akshay’s murder. A gang including more than three people chased him on the highway and killed him.

The police are also investigating whether there are other reasons for Akshay Kallega’s murder. Akshay’s body was found lying in a pool of blood near a petrol pump. A case has been registered with the Puttur Town police station regarding the murder.

Akshay, who led the Kallega Tigers dance troupe, has earned fame in the coastal districts. The team performed the tiger dance on the Bigg Boss show last year at the request of actor Rupesh Shetty.