Yashodhara Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 10: The ghastly murder of flower vendor and Hindu activist, Prashanth Poojary, in the wee hours here, which had given rise to turmoil in the district and hit national headlines, turned a year old on October 9. Even after a year, actual purpose behind this murder remains shrouded in mystery.
Although a case stands registered and 17 persons have been named as accused, want of strong and stable evidences and lack of eyewitnesses have delivered a blow to the investigation of the case. The case is in a phase of being dismissed for want of conclusive proof.
Prashanth Poojary, son of Anand Poojary from Biravu in Hosabettu village, who operated his flower vending business near the bus stand here along with his father, was killed by unknown assailants. Prashanth, who was an active activist of Hindu organizations, had taken a lead in raids on illegal slaughterhouses including Gantalkatte here, stopping illegal cattle trafficking etc.
As was his practice, Prashanth was bringing water to his flower shop in the early hours on October 9 last year, when six persons, who came in three motor bikes, attacked him with lethal weapons. By the time he was taken to a hospital at Mangaluru, Prashanth had breathed his last. Within hours thereafter, the news got flashed all over the state. The town observed bandh for three days, and religious and political leaders including from the state level visited Poojary's house to pledge solidarity with the grieving family.
BJP leaders had blamed the government for this incident and state level bandh was about to be organized. Relating to the incident, it was even said that the then minister and current MLA, Abhaychandra Jain, had got threat calls from underworld fugitive, Ravi Poojary.
As the agitations and processions built pressure on them, the police had made three arrests within ten days of the murder. In course of time, they made further arrests. Muhammed Sirajuddin from Ullal, Muhammed Mustafa from Bajpe, Mustafa Kavoor, Muhammed Hanif Adyar, Akbar Volal Adyarpadavu, Kabir Kandavara, Muhammed Nawaz Mangaluru, Muhammed Shariff Todar, Muhammed Illyas from Prantya here, Tajuddin from Bajpe, Muhammed Irshad, Muhammed Anwar, Muhammed Mustafa, Muhammed Rasheed, Ibrahim Likhayat, Badruddin Gantalkatte and Imtiaz, were the accused arrested. They have been charged with murder, conspiracy, forming illegal groups etc. Hearing in the case had begun on January 25, 2016.
Although this incident had threatened to vitiate the atmosphere and destroy communal harmony for which the town is known, the citizens showed restraint and saw that the image of the town did not suffer. Moreover, after the murder of Prashanth, no incidents which could have affected communal harmony happened here.
Even now, actual reason for which Prashanth was killed has not been found. There is no enough evidence to prove that pre-existing enmity was the cause of this murder. Because of lack of a solid witness and circumstantial evidences, the actual facts behind this murder have not yet been revealed.