Shivamogga: Hindu outfit activist murdered; Holiday declared for schools, colleges

Shivamogga: A 23-year old Bajrang Dal activist was stabbed to death in this district headquarters town, police said, as the administration clamped prohibitory orders for two days and announced a holiday for schools and colleges on Monday, following tension.

Harsha was allegedly attacked by unidentified assailants on Sunday night at the Ravi Varma lane in Bharathi Colony, they said.

The town, around 250 km from the state capital Bengaluru, had recently seen disruption in some colleges over the hijab row. The reason behind the killing is not immediately known. After the incident, some supporters of the deceased came out on the streets and vented their anger. Television footage showed them pelting stones but it was not clear what their target was. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters that he is hopeful about the arrest of the culprits soon.

”The investigation has begun and some vital clues have been found. We are hopeful that soon the murderers would be arrested,” Bommai told reporters in Bengaluru. He said he has given directions to the police to ensure that no untoward incident happens anywhere.

”I want to tell the people of Shivamogga that we have taken steps to arrest the murderers at the earliest. No one should fall prey to the rumors. They should maintain law and order,” Bommai said.

Sri Ram Sena convener Pramod Muthalik demanded a ban on the People’s Front of India and the Social Democratic Party of India. Deputy Commissioner Selvamani R told reporters that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been clamped in the town and orders have been given to shut all the schools and colleges.

”Police are investigating the case and trying to find out the criminals. We are also working with them. Already Section 144 has been clamped in the entire city. So, we have announced a holiday for the schools and colleges,” Selvamani said.

Superintendent of Police B M Lakshmi Prasad told reporters that a task force has been formed to track down those behind the incident. ”Our priority is to find them and get them punished. We request people to cooperate with us and not to act emotionally,” Prasad told reporters.