Security tightened in Karnataka’s Shivamogga after ‘murder’ of Bajrang Dal worker

Prohibitory orders were imposed in Karnataka’s Shivamogga on Monday following the killing of a Bajrang Dal worker.

The right wing activist, 26-year-old Harsha, was allegedly murdered late on Sunday in Shivamogga. Shivamogga deputy commissioner Selvamani R said Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in the area.

“The overall situation is peaceful. Local police and RAF have been deployed to maintain law and order,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Home minister Araga Jnanendra said schools and colleges in the city limits will remain shut for two days as a precautionary measure. The minister met the family members of the victim and promised of swift action in the act.

Jnanendra also had a meeting with senior police and district officers. “We have already got a clue, but I cannot share much as the investigation is underway. The satisfactory part is that we know who did it and they will be apprehended soon. There were around four-five people. We will give a stern message through this case.”

Rural development minister KS Eshwarappa, a BJP leader from Shivamogga, said the youth was murdered by “Muslim goondas”. “I’m going to Shivamogga now to analyse the situation. We’ll not allow ‘goondaism’,” he said.

Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah demanded the home minister’s resignation over the incident. “I condemn this incident. It took place in the district from where the home minister and the CM (Basavaraj Bommai) come. The culprit should be hanged. I demand the home minister’s resignation,” he said.

Meanwhile, some miscreants burnt several vehicles in the Seegehatti area of the town, according to ANI. Firefighting operation was currently underway.

The southern state has been in the eye of a storm for the past few days after a controversy erupted over a ban on Muslim girls wearing hijab inside educational institutions. Violent protests were seen in several places across the state among youth belonging to right wing fringe outfits and those extending their support to Muslim girls demanding their right to wear the headscarf.

However, police said the murder was not related to the hijab row.