Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP/JD)

Mangaluru, Feb 13: The Sullia police have arrested two persons in connection with the death of Jayaram Naik from Mudadka in Kudurepaya in Kodagu district in a freak accident which occurred during the fish hunting trip of some friends recently.

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday February 13, superintendent of police Dr S D Sharanappa said that Ramachandra (41) from Challangaya, Kodagu, and Vishwanath (38) from the same place were arrested from Sampaje.

The police seized a single barrel rifle, bullets, torchlights and clothes from the accused. They have been booked under Section 302 of the IPC and Section 325 of Arms Act.

Jayaram Naik, working as supervisor in a plantation at Challangaya, his brother, Harish Naik Kudurepaya, Deekshith, Venugopal Kudurepaya and Harish Patrakody had visited the Mapalakaje rivulet together late night on Tuesday February 9 for hunting fish. Jayaram and another were hunting fish downstream of the rivulet, when unknown people hunting wild boars fired at him.

Jayaram's companions had brought his body back and placed it in his plantation. During interrogation by police, they said that Jayaram was hit by bullet fired by another group, whose identity was unknown. As there were deficiencies and variations in their individual statements, they were subjected to detailed questioning.

Based on the information at hand, Ramachandra was arrested on Wednesday night while Vishwanath was taken into custody on Thursday. It is said that both of them have confessed that a stray bullet fired by them had hit Jayaram.

The SP said that as per primary investigation, the death was accidental.

Asked if cases of poaching had become frequent in the region, Sharanappa replied in the negative and said that two cases of accidental deaths have been reported in the last two years. "We need cooperation from the public in order to control poaching. The names and details of informers will be kept confidential," he said.

To a question on the number of licensed weapons in the district, he said, "In the entire district, there 17,000 licensed weapons, out of which 9,968 are licensed under SP limits. In view of the coming ZP and TP elections, 99 percent of them have already deposited the weapons while 137 are yet to do so."

Security on Valentine's Day

In view of the 'warning' issued by Bajrang Dal to the district administration against the celebration of Valentine's Day on Sunday February 14, the SP said that police patrolling has been tightened at major junctions in the district and all arrangements are in place to avoid any possible trouble. "Nobody should take law into their hands. Strict action will be taken against those who cause trouble," Sharanappa said.