Shivamogga on edge after murder of Bajrang Dal man

Shivamogga: Even as Karnataka grapples with the hijab row which is now being heard by the high court, the Sunday night killing of a 28-year-old Bajrang Dal activist, Harsha, here rocked the state leading to widespread arson in the hometown of former CM B.S.Yediyurappa.

Three persons have been arrested in the case even as the funeral procession of the victim witnessed violence including stone-pelting and arson, with a photojournalist among others sustaining injuries. Several vehicles too were damaged and torched.

“Detailed investigation is on... three people have been arrested so far... who, where, how I cannot disclose as the investigation is on, interrogation has to happen to know the reasons for the murder,”

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said. He said, prima facie five people were said to be involved in the murder. There were also reports about some shops being ransacked by miscreants, and police vehicles too being set on fire as part of the violence. According to official sources, there was stone-pelting when Harsha’s body was being taken from District McGann Hospital here.

Police tried to bring the situation under control by firing in the air and resorting to lathi charge to disperse the crowd, and make way for the funeral procession. Harsha, a resident of Seegehatti, was attacked by a group of unknown persons at Bharati Colony following which he was taken to McGann Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

In response to a question, Jnanendra said Harsha was a Hindu karyakarta and there is information that there were a couple of cases against him, and earlier too there was an attack on him.

They are all being looked into.” On the violence, Jnanendra said, “We will not allow it to spread, 1,200 men are in Shivamogga for bandobast.” A few BJP leaders including Minister K.S. Eshwarappa and Union Minister of state Shobha Karandlaje claimed a conspiracy behind Harsha’s murder with the latter demanding a NIA probe.