Kalaburagi inspector attacked by drug mafia airlifted to Bengaluru hospital

KALABURAGI: Kalaburagi Rural police inspector Srimanth Illal, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital here after suffering a murderous assault by drug dealers, was airlifted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on Monday.

Srimanth Illal being wheeled out of the Kalaburagi hospital.

The police had created a green corridor for the ambulance from the hospital to the airport. Likewise, a green corridor was created from HAL airport to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru. A air ambulance was kept waiting at Kalaburagi airport which brought him to Bengaluru.

A green corridor was created for the ambulance.

A team of 10 police personnel from Kalaburagi had gone to neighbouring Maharashtra recently to crush the ganja smuggling racket when they came under attack by 30-40 people. Inspector Srimanth Illal suffered a murderous assault in the incident.

The hospital in Kalaburagi where the police officer was being treated.

Speaking to reporters at the Kalaburagi airport, SP Isha Pant said, “Illal’s condition today is stable and is better than yesterday. The air ambulance has taken him to Manipal hospital in Bengaluru. His wife and son are accompanying him. Some of our officers also with him and other officers are also coordinating.”

Kalaburagi SP Isha Pant.

The SP further said that an FIR has been registered against 40 people at Manthal in Bidar district and 11 are being questioned. On being asked about Illal’s service revolver and gold ornaments and cash that was on his person at the time of attack, she said, “Right now, our focus is that he is treated well and recovers.”

Meanwhile, Backward Caste groups and other citizens have called for the immediate arrest of the accused.