Protests erupt after BJP youth leader hacked to death in Karnataka

After the murder of BJP's Yuva Morcha district leader Praveen Nettaru took a communal turn, police have tightened security in sensitive regions of Karnataka. Family members and activists have called for a protest, which was eventually dropped following District Collector Dr. Rajendra K.V's assurance of justice.

Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka):A Bhartiya Janta Party Yuva Morcha worker in Karnataka's coastal district of Dakshina Kannada was murdered by unknown miscreants on Tuesday. As a protest, the Hindu organizations have given a bandh call in Puttur, Sullia, and Kadaba taluks of the district on Wednesday. The body of BJP Yuva Morcha worker Praveen Nettaru was brought to his native village on Wednesday. Thousands of people including Hindu organizations and activists participated in the procession. The last procession of Praveen Nettaru started from Puttur Government Hospital around 10 am and reached Bellare, his residence.

The deceased has been identified as thirty-one-year-old Praveen Kumar Nettaru, a member of BJP Yuva Morcha and a resident of Sulia. Two unknown bike-borne miscreants had attacked him with swords on Tuesday night and fled the scene thereafter. Praveen owned a chicken shop at Peruvaje Cross, Bellare village near Puttur. Though Praveen was immediately rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to his deep injury in the neck.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has strongly condemned the murder. "The miscreants who carried out this brutal act will be arrested and punished according to law. Let Praveen's soul rest in peace. May God gives strength to his family to bear his loss," he stated.

Home Minister Araga Gyanendra said that 'the area where the incident took place is close to the Kerala border and the police are making special efforts to nab the criminals by liaising with senior officials of the Kerala Police Department. He said that he had spoken to the Chief Minister about the incident and had given necessary instructions to the police. 'Initial reports and some media reports indicate at Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Popular Front of India (PFI) links. They're being encouraged in Kerala. In Karnataka, Congress is encouraging them. Our government in Karnataka will take action and bring culprits to book', assured Union Minister & BJP leader Pralhad Joshi on the murder of a BJP Yuva Morcha worker. Sub-Divisional Officer Girish Nandan has issued an order to impose section 144 in Puttur, Sulya, and Kadaba Taluks till July 28 as a precautionary measure.

It is alleged that the victim was killed to avenge the murder of a youth belonging to the minority community some days ago. Praveen's dead body has been shifted from Pragati Hospital to Puttur Government Hospital for postmortem. However, his family members had earlier flocked to Putturu medical clinic on Tuesday night insisting that they would not permit the body to be taken anywhere even until the Dakshina Kannada District Collector tried to intervene.

The administrator of Police Rishikesh Sonanawan, Puttur Assistant Commissioner Girish Nandan also made an effort to persuade the dissidents but failed. It was later in the night around 1:30 AM on Tuesday that District Collector Dr Rajendra K.V. arrived and had a talk with the relatives and activists. "The accused will be arrested and given severe punishment. The police department is already investigating. The request for compensation to the family of the deceased is being seriously considered," said the DC, appealing to maintain peace and order in the district. The protest was called off after his statement.

Family members have decided to perform Praveen's last rites in Bellare through a body procession from Puttur city. The police have taken precautions and set up security measures. Despite beefing up the security across the communally sensitive districts, an incident of stone pelting at a government bus in Puttur's Boluvari on Wednesday morning has come to light. The bus was supposedly going to Mangalore.