Tension prevails as Congress leader dies

The death of Virajpet Block Congress President and former Zilla Pancahyat member Abdul Latif (33) has led to suspicion and the case should be handed to CBI to bring out the truth, demanded MP H Vishwanath.

He was speaking to media persons during his visit to Gonikoppa hospital mortuary to where the dead body of Latif was brought for conducting post-mortem. Latif died of bullet injury at Brahmagiri hill at Irpu near Birunani in South Coorg district. Declining the claims that Latif died after being shot from the gun by co-incidence, he said a high level inquiry should be carried to probe into the involvement of the culprits who are behind the crime.

Former MLC C S Arun Machaiah who too visited the mortuary demanded to get an expert doctor from Mysore to conduct the post mortem on Latif’s body. The demand and arguments created a tensed atmosphere for some time. However, the chaos ended with Virajpet Government Hospital doctor Muruli and local doctor Suresh conducting the post-mortem.

IGP Ramachandra Rao who was present at the venue assured of carrying out an unbiased investigation led by high-level officers.The dead body was carried in a narrow walkable road stretching for about 8 km from Brahmagiri hill. Thousands of followers of Latif had gathered at the mortuary premises to pay their last tribute. Former minister Suma Vasanth, District Congress President B T Pradeep, former president Veena Achchaiah and others were present.

Police had to literally struggle to disperse the crowd assembled at the venue. Three KSRP troops and three DAR troops were brought to the spot to control the situation.
DH News Service