Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Watch Video: Click Here
Mangaluru, Jan 1: In a statement that is likely to stir a controversy, MP Nalin Kateel on Sunday January 1 warned that if the culprits behind the murder of Karthik Raj in Asaigoli were not arrested within the next 10 days, 'Dakshina Kannada district would be set on fire'.
Karthik Raj, son of former Mangaluru taluk panchayat president Umesh Ganiga, was attacked at Asaigoli on October 22, 2016. He passed away a day later.
Delivering a fiery speech during a protest held to demand arrest of the culprits behind the murder and justice for Karthik's family, Nalin Kateel said, "If the police are incapable of arresting the culprits and provide protection to the Hindu community within ten days, we are capable of setting fire on the entire Dakshina Kannada."
The protest was organized by Hindu Hitarakshana Vedike in front of Konaje police station. Prior to the protest, a silent march was held from Sudarshan Nagar, Pajir to the police station.
"Hindus are repeatedly becoming victims of atrocities in Ullal. The law and order in Mangaluru constituency is in a poor state. The central home ministry is under us (BJP) and it has the power to question this. Even though a huge protest rally was held, higher police officials are absent.
"Terrorists from Kerala are carrying out such crimes. As this is a border area, it is easy for them to sneak in and commit such heinous acts. The MLAs from this regions are directly responsible for all the criminal activities that happen here," said Kateel.
"Whenever a Hindu commits a crime, his parents are also taken to the police station. It is ironical that the police, whose feet we have to touch to get permission to have chicken during jatras, have failed to nab Karthik's murderers. The police have completely failed to arrest culprits in many of the incidents that have occured in the past one year. This shows they are under tremendous pressure.
"The state government, which can give Rs 20 lac as compensation to the cattle thief in Sringeri incident (where Kabeer was killed by ANF personnel in 2014), is not bothered about collecting information about Karthik's murder and arresting the culprits. We have lost confidence in the state government. If the culprits are not arrested in 10 days, we will hold a dharna in front of the police station here," he said.
Former MLA Jayaram Shetty, Mangaluru taluk unit BJP president Santosh Kumar Rai Boliyar, leaders Chandrahasa Ullal, Chandrashekar Uchil, gram panchayat member Dhanalaxmi Gatty and others were present.
Meanwhile DYFI condemned Nalin Kumar Kateel's statement and said that a protest would be held demanding an apology on Monday January 2.
Watch Video: Click Here