Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Aug 5: The Hindu Hitarakshna Samiti on Saturday August 5 criticised the state government and the police over the failure to make a single arrest in connection to the murder of RSS worker Sharath Madivala even after a month of the crime, and said that a massive hunger strike will be held on August 8 demanding arrest of the culprits.

Addressing a press meet here, BJP leader Monappa Bhandary said, "On July 4, Sharath Madivala was murdered despite prohibitory orders being imposed in the district. A month has passed since then, but the killers are still roaming free. This is a reflection of the total failure of the state home department as well as the police. A few days ago Pawan Raj at Melkar, and also Chiranjeevi in Kuthar were attacked, but police have still not caught the culprits.

"A trivial personal conflict between two groups in Kalladka was given a communal colour and blown out of proportion, resulting in tense atmosphere in the district for several days. Pawan Raj in Melkar, Chiranjeevi in Kuthar, Ashraf at Benjanapadavu and Sharath Madivala at BC Road were attacked/murdered by miscreants. Though the police succeeded in arresting the accused in the murders of Ashraf Kalayi and Jaleel Karopady before that, the accused in the murders of Sharath, attack on Pawan Raj and Chiranjeevi are yet to be traced. This clearly indicates that the government has different policies in dealing with the two communities. How is that the police who were so active in tracing the accused in Jaleel Karopady and Ashraf Kalayi cases are so lax when it comes to Sharath's murder case? It is quite clear that the police are under political pressure, and it is condemnable," he said.

Attacking district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, Bhandary said, "The district in-charge minister and other elected representatives in the district are doing to vote-bank politics to appease a certain community. That is why Rai is interested in giving justice only to one community. He is not interested in doing justice to all. Rai's lack of interest in nabbing the accused in Sharath's case gives rise to suspicions that he may be indirectly involved in supporting them.

"The home ministry is currently being managed by the chief minister, hence failure to nab Sharath's murders is a failure of the chief minister too," he added.

Demanding speedy probe into the murders of Sharath Madivala, he said, "The failure of the government to solve the murder of Sharath shows the irresponsibility of the state government. To express our protest and demand the arrest of culprits in the case, we will hold a hunger strike on August 8 from 10 am to 4 pm in front of the DC's office. Simultaneously, similar protests will also be held in Beltangady, Sullia, Bantwal and Puttur taluk offices, and at Moodbidri bus stand. If the state government still does not respond, we will intensify our protests further," Bhandary said.

VHP leader Jagadish Shenava, Yuva Morcha leader Sachin Shetty and Bhujanga Kulal were present.

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