Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Sep 1: In connection with the hacking of a youth to death by a gang said to be from Kasargod district at Kanyana on main road on Sunday, a police team led by police circle inspector continued to camp at Kanyana on Monday to monitor the situation and take precautionary measures against possibility of backlash related to this incident. The police team has also been keeping a close watch on the movement of vehicles in the region.

On Sunday, a five-member gang which arrived in a car from Kerala had attacked a splinter gang that had separated from them a few years back at Kanyana. While one of the gang members was savagely murdered with sabre, the other two were inflicted with deep injuries at several places on their bodies.

Asif (24) from Bayikatte near Paivalike in Kerala was killed in this incident, while Riyaz (24) and Hakim (20) had suffered critical injuries in the attack. It is learnt that the policemen have got definite clues to suggest that Nappate Rafiq gang had executed this attack. Different police teams have been fanned out into Kerala to collect evidences and nab the culprits.

At the same time, Asif, who was killed in this incident, was named as accused in a number of cases including murder attempt on Pilinguli Satish Rai from Kanyana in the past. He had been caught by Vittal police in 2012 after stealing a tipper truck. Although he got released in this case later, it is said that he was involved various incidents of disturbances in Kerala. Police sources claim that the injured Riaz and Hakim also are named as accused in several cases including operating sand mafia.

During the time the car in which the culprits had come was dashed against the motor bike in which the murdered and injured persons were travelling, the front wheel of the car had suffered puncture. As they could not flee in the car after the attack, the accused had threatened a local auto rickshaw driver named Iqbal from Kanyana by brandishing their weapons, and asked him to drop them off at Bedagudde. During this period, a person was assaulted relating to this auto rickshaw hiring, and a case stands registered against one accused. Moidu Kunhi (42) from Padekallu in Karopady was assaulted in this incident.

There have been many instances in which criminals get involved with crime inside Karnataka and then flee to Kerala. Vice versa is also true. Policemen find it difficult to get cooperation from their counterparts in other states and conduct operations there freely.