2 BJP workers stabbed in DK; 5 arrested

MANGALURU: Mangaluru City police have arrested five persons in connection with the alleged stabbing of two BJP workers in the Konaje police limits on Sunday evening. The arrested are Mohammed Shakir, 28, Abdul Razak, 40, Aboobakar Siddique, 35, Sawad, 18, and Monu alias Hafeez, 24.
Providing details of the incident, city police commissioner Anupam Agrawal said the incident took place in front of a bar in Boliyar, within the Konaje police limits.Three BJP followers had allegedly shouted some slogans, in front of Boliyar Masjid, on the way to the bar.
It is learnt, from other sources that the incident reportedly occurred when the victims were returning from celebrating "Vijayotsava" to coincide with the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following the incident of shouting of slogans, they were allegedly followed by a group of 20-25 youths on bikes to the bar, where an altercation broke out. There, three people were beaten up by the opposite group, and two of them were stabbed. One of them is out of danger, while another is undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital, he said.
The victims who sustained stab injuries are Harish, 41, and Nandakumar, 24, from Innoli. Meanwhile, Krishna Kumar, also from Innoli, was reportedly assaulted.
Meanwhile, another case has been registered in connection with the incident, based on a complaint given by PK Abdulla, president, Boliyar Jumma Masjid. The accused are Suresh, Vinay, Subhash, Ranjit and Dhananjaya. It is alleged that a few youths shouted provocative slogans in front of the masjid around 8.50pm and abused certain people standing outside the masjid. A case has been registered under IPC sections 143, 147, 148, 153A, 504, 506, 149 IPC.
Strict action: DGR
District minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who conducted a review meeting on Monday, said strict action will be taken against those involved in law-and-order issues, irrespective of political parties.
Responding to a query on BJP leaders levelling allegations of a series of incidents taking place in the district following the collapse of law and order, Rao said, "BJP leaders do not speak when they commit any offense. Those who commit mistakes or take law-and-order into their hands will be punished. Police are acting against the culprits. All efforts have been made to arrest all those involved in the stabbing incident. An impartial probe will be conducted, and there will be no political interference. The case is under investigation, and the investigation will bring out the truth. The focus is to maintain peace in the region. It is the duty of everyone to maintain communal harmony, and those engaged in provocation should not be supported."
To a query on allegations by the SDPI that a few youths had created a nuisance by shouting slogans in front of a masjid at Karopady, Dakshina Kannada SP Ryshyanth CB said no case has been registered so far. However, those involved in the incident will be bonded over, he said.