Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Apr 7: A person died on the way to hospital after being arrested by the police for drinking in a public place at Karandakkad here on Friday April 7.

However, though he is said to have died of heart attack, BJP and BMS along with the deceased youth's family members alleged police atrocity and a bandh has been called on Saturday April 8.

The deceased youth, identified as Sandeep (25), a resident of near Chowki CPCRI, was an auto rickshaw driver by profession.

The police raided the spot on receiving information that some persons were consuming alcohol in public everyday and abusing officials of the nearby Beerantabail Agricultural Produce Centre in Karandakkad. On seeing the police, the persons ran from the spot. The police gave them a chase, and managed to nab three of them.

It is learnt that Sandeep, who was also running away in a bid to escape from the police, suddenly collapsed. The police immediately took him in their jeep to Kasargod general hospital, but he died on the way. He suffered a heart attack, it is said.

Hartal on April 8

After Sandeep's death, Sangh Parivar activists gheraoed the Kasargod police station and staged a flash protest alleging that Sandeep had died due to police atrocity.

The activists demanded action against the police personnel responsible for Sandeep's death.

Sandeep's brother Deepak too alleged that Sandeep died due to torture.

The BJP has called for hartal on Saturday April 8 from 6 am to 6 pm in Kasargod Assembly constituency.

Sandeep was an active member of BMS, sources said.