Condemning the brutal murder of Hindu activist Deepak Rao in Katipalla in strong terms, Chikkamagaluru MLA C T Ravi has demanded for an NIA (National Investigation Agency) probe into the case.

Holding the Congress-led state government responsible for the murders of Hindu activists in the state,   Ravi said that the government is nurturing Taliban culture.

Addressing media persons at the district BJP office here on Wednesday, he claimed that 24 members of Hindu outfits were murdered after the Siddaramaiah-led government withdrew serious cases filed against 1,700 Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) activists.

Even though BJP consistently opposed the move, the government did not pay heed, he criticised.

Ravi said Deepak Rao's murder has been of nature as the murders of Raju Mysuru, Rudresh, Kuttappa, Ravi, Prashanth Poojary and Sharath Madiwala.

He claimed that they are not isolated incidents. "An in-depth inquiry should be conducted to know who is funding the assailants and who is providing them legal aid. Earlier, I had raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly. But, no action has been taken. Referring to the murder of Hindu activist Kuttappa in Kodagu, the home minister himself stated that 5,000 Mapillas from Kerala had entered the district. How many of them were arrested and how many cases were filed?" he wanted to know.

Vote bank politics

He charged that eying the vote bank, the Congress-led state government has developed a soft corner for Taliban and has entered into an internal agreement with communal forces which have been creating unrest in the state.

Ravi said he visited the hospital where Deepak Rao's mortal remains are kept. According to local people, the local MLA is making attempts to protect the criminals, he charged.

Ravi urged that the government should provide Rs 25 lakh as compensation to Deepak Rao's family. Even the maximum amount of money could not compensate the loss of Deepak Rao as he was the only bread earner in the family, after the death of his father.

He is survived by his mother and a younger brother who is speech-impaired, Ravi said and added that BJP will conduct state-wide protests against the murder of the Hindu activist, till the justice is obtained.

BJP district president Sanjiv Matandur, general secretary Kishor Rai, former minister Krishna J Palemar, former MLA Yogish Bhat, leaders Vedavysas Kamath, Dr Bharat Shetty, Sanjay Prabhu, Nitin Kumar and Brijesh Chowta were present in the press meet.