Bangalore: Gangs clash in Gym, Two Dead

BANGALORE, Jul 28 (TNN): The gym was dark and empty when Ravi, Srinivas and Vasu went in for their early-morning workout. Minutes later, a grim gang war broke out  here on the first floor of a building opposite a college in Yelahanka New Town.

As the trio began workouts, a person entered, enquiring about membership. Two others joined him. In a flash, they threw chilli powder on Ravi’s face and, before he could react, hacked him.

Srinivas alias Seena rushed to help him but was murdered on the spot. Vasu was also attacked. The rowdysheeter, known as Bullet Ravi, died on the way to Columbia Asia hospital, while Vasu was hospitalized in critical condition. In the melee, the gym instructor fled.

It is said that apart from the three assailants, two more persons were waiting outside. Police recovered a pistol and chopper, said to belong to Ravi, from the gym. The gang war comes in the wake of a series of murders since the beginning of the year, most of them with political overtones.

The police have formed three teams to track down the assailants, but said they are not sure about the identity of the rivals. “We are ascertaining who is behind the act,’’ police said. Ravi, who feared he would be attacked, had recently hired bodyguards and purchased firearms. Police seized his unlicensed firearms two months ago.