Mysuru, Mar 16 (DHNS): Monday’s violence in Mysuru was “orchestrated” by the opposition BJP for political mileage, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Tuesday, after visiting the family of the man whose murder on Sunday triggered mob frenzy in the City of Palaces.

The minister also made a veiled attack on the BJP’s Chikkamagaluru MLA, C T Ravi. “An MLA from Chikkamagaluru came to Mysuru and stage-managed the entire shutdown. I have instructed the police to handle the situation with care, though outsiders were part of the mob,” he told reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday.

Parameshwara revealed that the victim, Raju, was among many people who were booked by the police in connection with Udayagiri communal clash in Mysuru in 2009. Five cases were registered against him. Later, based on a report of the Cabinet subcommittee, 40 cases were withdrawn, including those against Raju, he said.

The minister downplayed the delay in arresting Raju’s murderers, saying the police were working on some leads and the arrests would be made shortly. Earlier, Parameshwara, accompanied by Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad and Home Minister’s Advisor Kempaiah, inspected the spot where Raju was murdered. He also handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh on behalf of the government to Raju’s mother, Chandramma.

Raju was unmarried but was the sole breadwinner of his family, taking care of his aged mother and the wife and children of his deceased elder brother. In Bengaluru, BJP leader R Ashoka demanded a judicial enquiry into Raju’s killing. A BJP delegation met Parameshwara and submitted a memorandum, seeking a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to Raju’s family. BJP State president Pralhad Joshi and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will visit Raju’s family in Mysuru on Thursday, said a press statement released by the party.