Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Apr 14: A man was killed with a rubber-tapping knife on the night of Tuesday April 12 at Pambaru CRC colony in Koltige village in the taluk. Silvakumar (43), son of rubber tapping worker, Vaidyanath, was murdered allegedly by Jagannath (21), who also pursues the same profession. Jagannath stands admitted into the government hospital here.

Both Selvakumar and Jagannath, who undertake rubber tapping work for a living, are residents of Pambaru CRC colony. Selvakumar was a government rubber tapper, while Jananath undertook private rubber tapping work. Their houses are located close by. It is said that rivalry between these two families was ignited after Selvakumar attacked Jagannath when the latter was studying in fourth standard. Colony residents claim that Jagannath had nursed a grudge over this incident, and had repeatedly threatened Selvakumar of dire consequences. Selvakumar, a liquor addict, had divorced his first wife and married a second time. His wife works at Aivarnadu, and hence he lived alone at Pambaru CRC colony.

At around 8 pm on Tuesday, Jagannath noticed that Selvakumar was sitting under a tree behind a petty shop about 300 metres away from his house, after consuming liquor. A verbal friction ensued between the two, after which Selvakumar dragged out the rubber tapping knife and jabbed it at Jagannath. Angered by this attack, Jagannath snatched the knife from Silvakumar's hand and stabbed the latter with it. Selvakumar, who bled profusely, was taken to the government hospital here, and then to Puttur hospital for advanced treatment. But he did not survive the journey to Puttur.

Assistant superintendent of police, Rishvanth, rural police circle inspector, Anil S Kularni, rural police sub-inspector, Ravi B S, and others visited the spot and gathered information. The accused is being treated for his injuries in the government hospital here, and policemen are keeping a vigil to ensure that he does not escape, it is gathered. A case was registered in Sampya rural station about this incident.