JOIN USWe ran for life after hearing sound of firing, says victim
In protest against killing of a youth from Krishnapura by the ANF personnel in Sringeri, in what may be termed as a mistaken identity, the residents of Krishnapura and Jokatte observed voluntary bandh on Saturday. Business establishments remained closed in the region.
Tensed atmosphere prevailed in the region after the news of the killing of a local youth began to spread. Kabeer, a resident of Krishnapura, was gunned down by ANF personnel in the wee hours of Saturday when he along with four others were transporting cattle from Theerthahalli to a slaughter house in Mangalore.
The movement of vehicles remained suspended in Krishnapura and Jokatte. Enraged locals even pelted stones at a few buses. The road was blocked by placing huge stones to prevent the movement of vehicles. The members of various organisations who staged protest, accused the ANF personnel of acting at the behest of Hindu organisations.
Kabeer was into a business of supplying cattle for slaughter house owned by his brother. He was the resident of Seventh Block in Krishnapura.
As a precautionary measure, additional forces have been rushed to Surathkal region to check any untoward incident.
Recalls incident
“Pick up vehicle driver Pramod and myself ran for life for seven to eight kilometres from Thanikodu forest check post in Sringeri, to save our life and then sought a lift from a lorry to reach Mangalore,” said Rafeeq, a resident of Jokatte on the outskirts of Mangalore, who was a part of five member group which was engaged in transporting cattle from Theerthahalli in Shimoga.
Speaking to a section of mediapersons here on Saturday, he said he and four others were transporting cattle from Theerthahalli to Mangalore via Sringeri in a pick-up lorry, in the wee hours of Saturday.
“I had alighted from the vehicle to make an entry at the check post in Sringeri, as without entry, no vehicles are allowed to pass through the check post. The ANF personnel had asked two persons namely Kabeer and Sheikh Ummer Farooq to alight from the vehicle. As I was making an entry, I heard firing by ANF personnel and I could hear the loud voice of a person screaming before falling on the ground. Driver Pramod and myself fled the spot.”
The police have caught hold of Sheikh Ummer Farooq and Sarfraz is missing. “After reaching my house, I realised that the man who was shot dead is none other than my cousin Kabeer (23). Kabeer is my uncle’s son.” “There were 20 cattle in the pick up vehicle. We were transporting the cattle legally to an abattoir in Mangalore.
We had purchased the cattle with the help of a broker in Theerthahalli. In fact, Kabeer and myself eke out living by working as collie. I have been engaged in transporting cattle for the last three months. We are not into illegal transportation of cattle,” he reiterated.
“After reaching Mangalore, I visited MLA Mohiuddin Bava, to seek his help,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mangalore North MLA Mohiuddin Bava said that there is a need to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. “Firing at an innocent for no fault is a crime. I have spoken to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K J George to conduct an impartial probe and punish the culprits.”
CBI inquiry
DYFI State President Muneer Katipalla has demanded CBI inquiry into the incident. “Those who have committed the crime should be arrested. Kabeer was an innocent and friedly person. The government should conduct an impartial probe into the incident and compensation should be paid to victims’ family.”