Campaigning BJP worker killed in hit-and-run accident; leaders, workers block road in protest

MADIKERI: A BJP worker who was involved in door-to-door campaigning was killed after he was knocked down by a car at Nellihudikeri in Kushalnagar taluk on Thursday evening. Following the incident, BJP leaders and activists blocked the Madikeri-Siddapura road on Friday, throwing traffic out of gear. They also raised slogans against the Congress government in the state and gheraoed Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda.

Ramappa was killed in the accident while two others were injured. Yaduveer Wadiyar and other BJP leaders visited the mortuary and later staged a protest.

On Thursday, a group of Muslim youths from Kambibane in Suntikoppa, who were in a speeding Maruti Esteem car, knocked down some BJP workers near Valnur-Tyagattur, killing Shivanegowda Ramappa on the spot and leaving Chennaraj and Ratish seriously injured.

Traffic on Siddapura road was affected due to the protest.

The youths fled from the scene, but some local villagers gave them a chase and nabbed Arshad and Shaukat while the others managed to flee. Arshad and Shaukat were later handed over to the police. The Siddapura police have registered a hit-and-run case and arrested the car driver.

On Friday, BJP candidate for the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha seat, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Virajpet MLA Ponnanna and former MLAs C T Ravi, K G Bopaiah and Appachu Ranjan visited the mortuary in Siddapura where the autopsy was conducted. Ponnanna said he had directed the officials to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the accused are punished.

Prohibitory orders were imposed in Valnur, Arekadu, Nellihudikeri and surrounding areas by deputy commissioner Venkat Raj to prevent any untoward incident.

Hundreds of BJP leaders and workers also staged a protest in front of the mortuary where the autopsy was conducted demanding that the DC visit the spot. They also raised slogans against the Congress government and demanded justice for Ramappa’s death while terming the hit-and-run accident as intentional.