Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 27: The district BJP on Tuesday October 27 demanded CBI probe into the murder of flower vendor and Bajrang Dal activist Prashant Poojary, who was hacked to death by a gang of six persons on the morning of October 9 in Moodbidri. Ten persons have been arreste in the case so far.

Addressing a press meet at the BJP office, district vice-president of the party Umanath Kotian said, "The Karnataka government should hand over Prashant Poojary murder case to the CBI. The Dakshina Kannada district BJP demands that the chief minister and the home minister order CBI probe into the case.

"From many months, continuous attacks have been taking place on Hindu actvists and leaders in Dakshina Kannada, but the Karnataka state governement and the district incharge minister (Ramanath Rai) are silent on the issue. This gives rise to suspicions that the governent is supporting these attacks. The district incharge minister is like chief minister of the distrct, hence he should have visited Prashant's family and condoled his death. No MLA or Congress leader has visited his house," he said.

Targetting minister Abhaychandra Jain who is also the MLA of Moodbidri, Kotian said, "Prashant's parents and various media have alleged that there is involvement of minister Abhaychandra in this murder. He should come out openly and reveal the truth. He should speak out on the issue. The people should know the truth behind the murder, hence the government should hand over this case to the CBI."

He also said that the district BJP along with Prashant's family will meet the governor and demand CBI enquiry into the case.

Demanding compensation for Prashant's kin, he said, "After the Dadri lynching incident, the Uttar Pradesh government gave Rs 45 lac as compensation to the family of the victim. Similarly, the Karnataka government should give Rs 25 lac for Prashant's family too."

Asked about the threat call to Abhaychandra Jain, Kotian dismissed the claim and said, "It is a strategy to mislead the probe."

He also said that a national media had shown that minister Jain had 'links' with the accused arrested in the case, hence a CBI probe was necessary to bring out the truth. The district BJP also demanded the minister's resignation.

Kasturi Panja, Kishore Rai and others were present.

In a separate press meet, ZP vice-president Satish Kumpala of BJP informed that on November 2, a state-level convention will be held at Sanghaniketan in which state BJP leaders from backward classes, SC/ST, and gram panchayats will take part. Chief whip of the opposition MLA Sunil Kumar, Kota Srinivas Poojary, Arvind Limbavali, Sriramalu and others BJP leaders will take part in it, he said.