Kartik Raj murder: Forum demands arrest of accused

Weeks after the murder of Kartik Raj, son of former Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat vice-president Umesh Ganiga, and other untoward incidents in Mangaluru Assembly constituency, not even one accused has been arrested by the police, said MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

“This indicates the failure of the administration and the legislator is directly responsible for this. If the accused in the murder case are not arrested within 10 days, there are possibilities that Dakshina Kannada district will be in flames,” said the MP. He was addressing the protest meet and jatha conducted by Hindu Rakshana Vedike outside the Konaje police station on Sunday.

Stating that the failure of the police in detaining the accused is clearly seen, Kateel accused the police personnel of acting as agents of the Congress party. “The police should protect the people rather being followers of politicians.”

BJP Mangaluru Assembly unit president Santosh Kumar Boliyar said that the constituency witnesses a greater number of untoward incidents as compared to other constituencies in the district. He warned that a dharna would be staged right outside the police station if the accused in the Kartik Raj murder case are not arrested within 10 days.

Hindu Jagarana Vedike Vittal taluk unit convener Ganaraj Bhat Kedila said that if one considers the horrific incidents taking place in Ullal, one would wonder if one is witnessing a part of India or Pakistan. Even though the police honestly probe into the case, the government is unnecessarily interfering, he added.

Former MLA K Jayaram Shetty, BJP district executive committee member Rajesh Shetty Pajiruguttu, ZP member Dhanalakshmi Gatti and Pajir Gram Panchayat President Seetaram Shetty were present.