Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jun 25: Miscreants cornered Farooq, a resident of Ullal Kodi late night on Monday June 23 at the place where Mogaveerapatna and Ullal Kodi areas meet. The assailants used swords in their effort to eliminate Farooq and his friend, Ashraf, and in the process, the victim who suffered grave injuries, got admitted into a private hospital in Thokkottu.
Relating to the murder attempt, Ullal police took about 15 people into custody and began questioning them in an effort to zero in on the attackers.
It is gathered that two persons suddenly swished their swords at Farooq and his friend, Ashraf, who were together moving in a motor bike. Both of them operate a business of supplying drinking water through water tanks, and had visited their manager, Basha Saheb, who had become ill in the evening, just before the said incident. They had dropped Basha Saheb off at a hospital in Thokkottu in a car, before returning to their houses in a motor bike. Ashraf, who was riding the motor bike, could maneuver his motor bike in time to escape being hit, while Farooq, who was riding the pillion, was injured in the head. As Farooq brought his hand ahead to block the sword, his hand too was injured.
Farooq, it is learnt, shouted for help, at which some people came running to the spot. Sensing trouble, the miscreants ran away, it is said.
Police sources feel that Farooq might have become the victim of an attack that was targetted at someone else, going by the fact that he does not have any criminal record or allegation of participating in illegal activities. The spot chosen for the attack hints at an attempt to disturb communal harmony in the area, they said. They are also examining the incident having been the fallout of a minor skirmish between youth from both the communities a couple of days earlier in the region.
There is a possibility of the attack having its roots in a brawl between some people over operation of water tankers, which reportedly occurred at Ullal Kodi a few days back. The arrests now made were based on the criminal backgrounds of the concerned and also suspicion.
Police officials including police commissioner, R Hitendra, visited the spot. Karnataka State Reserve Police force was deployed to keep a watch over the situation. Ullal police registered the case and began investigation.