Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (EP)
Updated
Mangaluru, Apr 12: The body of a man, who had gone for fishing, was found in front of Baraka Fish Oil Mill near Kotepura with his face smashed on Tuesday afternoon, April 12. The incident has created panic in the vicinity.
The deceased has been identified as Raju Kotian (41) from Mogaveerapatna.
The body was found beside Kotepura Ullal road in between shrubs. Though several vehicles passed by since morning till the afternoon and workers were employed in the nearby mill, the body was found only by children walking on the road.
It is suspected that miscreants smashed the victim's face to kill him and later threw the body in the roadside ditch.
Raju had walked to Kotepura dock at 2 am in the wee hours on Tuesday, leaving behind his mobile phone at home and taking his lunch box. Two men who were to accompany him in the boat arrived at the dock and waited for Raju. As there was no sign of Raju, they called his residence and were told that Raju had already left.
Raju was not involved in any criminal activities and had maintained a good rapport with all.
The locals suspect that his body might have been thrown off from the road after being hit by a lorry in the dark. They also expressed suspicions that a gang of ganja addicts who reportedly frequent the spot and create nuisance in the area may have killed Raju.
Raju Kotian had married nine years ago but had no children.
The incident caused tense atmosphere in Ullal. More than a hundred fishermen gathered in front of the Ullal police station and urged the cops to arrest the suspects immediately. DCP, ACP, CCB team, Pandeshwar, Bajpe, Mangaluru rural police station officials and KSRP regiments visited the place. Canine squad and forensic experts also arrived and conducted investigation. The dead body is sent to Deralakatte private hospital morgue for post-mortem.
It is learnt that by late evening, the Ullal police took one suspect into custody. The suspect, whose identity has not been revealed, is believed to be involved in criminal activities in the area.
Mogaveera women protest
Following the incident, hundreds of women belonging to the Mogaveera community gheraoed Ullal police station and demanded justice. They said that the Mogaveera community had time and again been a victim of atrocities. "In an earlier incident, a youth from Mogaveera community was stabbed and he lost his kidney, but his attackers are yet to be arrested. The police should take immediate action in this case and arrest Raju Kotian's murderers," they urged.
Police commissioner Chandra Sekhar assured the protestors that the culprits would be caught soon, and announced that a special police team would be formed for the purpose. Convinced by assurances, the women withrew the protest.
U T Khader condemns
Health minister and Ullal MLA U T Khader condemned the incident and said that he has already requested the police commissioner to form a special investigative team and arrest the culprits without delay. "Everyone should live with harmony. No one should indulge in acts that disrupt peace," he said.