High drama precedes JD(S) leader’s last rites

The last rites of JD(S) leader Prakash, who was hacked to death on Monday, were conducted amid tight police security in Thopanahalli village on Tuesday evening. Hundreds of party workers and leaders were present. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy visited the village in the afternoon and paid his last respects to the departed leader.

There was high drama at the hospital mortuary in the morning as party workers staged a protest, saying they would not allow the post mortem to be performed till the chief minister visited the village. However, police intervened and brought the situation under control.

Political rivalry is said to be the reason behind Prakash's murder. The suspects, who were out on bail in the double murder case that was reported two years ago in the same village, is said to have murdered Prakash.

It is said that there was a clash between two groups of the village over installing flexboards and drinking water supply on December 24, 2016. Two youths were hacked to death and it was Prakash who had lodged a complaint with the police. Out of 20 people who were arrested, 17 had come out on bail recently, while bail was rejected for the other three.

Those out on bail had approached Prakash for mediation and release of the other three. Prakash refused to oblige, which developed hatred among them towards him. They hatched a plan to murder Prakash and made futile attempts twice. Prakash had sought police protection, claiming a threat to his life, but his request was not considered. According to police, Prakash had not given a written application and so, they could not provide protection.

Complaints have been lodged against eight suspects in the double-murder case. Police arrested one of them, Swamy, on Monday night and identifiied three others Hemanth, Yogesh and Shivaraj, said to be Congress workers.