Bhutai's murder has sent shock waves, says grieving auto drivers in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: My mind has been in turmoil since Friday after I learnt that the body of autorickshaw driver Mohammed Sharif (52) was traced in a deep well in Kunjathur in Manjeshwar police station limits, reveals elderly autorickshaw driver Shivanand.

Standing beside his autorickshaw at Kottara Chowki rickshaw stand, Shivanand says Mohammed Sharif more popularly known as `Bhutai' (sardine fish in Tulu language) had friends in autorickshaws stands across Mangaluru. He was always smiling, cracking jokes, never hurting others and had more friends from Hindu community," recollects Shivanand.

"Sharif used to leave home in Kolnad in Mulki police station limits and reach Kottara Chowki auto stand at about 10.30 am. As Bhutai was highly popular among the old and young auto drivers alike, he was welcomed at all autorickshaw stands. He never charged excess from customers or used foul words and always returned home before 12 am," Shivanand said.

He stood out from the autorickshaw fraternity as he never talked about politics. Bhutai loved to keep his khaki uniform and autorickshaw always spick and span. Shivanand suspects the handiwork of `ganja gang' in the murder of Shivanand. "He must have been abducted while returning home by addicts in guise of customers and taken to Kunjathur," he said.

Kottara Chowki Auto stand president Manoj Kodikal said Bhutai's murder had sent shock waves among auto drivers community. Autorickshaw driver Suresh, from Bikarnakatte, seething in anger demanded that the `nayilu' (dogs in tulu language) behind the murder of Bhutai should be arrested and punished at the earliest.

"Bhutai's murder also has left other auto drivers apprehensive about their safety," says Shivanand while turning down a passenger's request to drop him in Konaje on city's outskirts. Sources in Mulki police station informed that city police were also assisting Manjeshwar police in the Sharif murder case.

DYFI demands thorough probe into death of auto driver

DYFI demanded thorough investigation into the murder of auto driver and sought maximum compensation to the bereaved family of Mohammed Sharif. DYFI district president B K Imthiyaz and secretary Santhosh Bajal in a joint statement urged police department to arrest the miscreants involved in the murder of Mohammed Sharif as early as possible.

He said incidents of auto rickshaw drivers being murdered in secluded areas was not new to Dakshina Kannada district. Previous cases included murders of innocent auto drivers like Idayath in Natekal, Lancy in Tokkottu and Rifai from Nettakere. These auto drivers are easy victims amidst communal polarisation politics of district, the press release stated.