Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 6: The locals at Mukkacheri on Friday October 6 pelted stones at the car of Ullal MLA and food minister U T Khader, out of ire over the murder of Zubair on the night of Wednesday October 4.

The local unit of the BJP led the protest over the murder of its member Zubair at Thokkottu junction. At the same time, activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) also protested over the same issue at Mukkacheri.

Soon, locals joined in large numbers and together with the protestors, shouted slogans against Khader and demanded his resignation.

When Khader arrived at the scene in his official car, the protestors refused to allow him to pass and pelted stones at his car.

Khader then got out and resumed his journey in a private car.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel who visited Zubair's bereaved family said that it was a murder committed out of 'political hatred', and demanded the state government to hand over a compensation of minimum Rs 40,000 to the family.

"I will put forth an appeal to the central government too. The drug mafia has flourished in the distict, but the state government has done nothing about it. The Congress itself has a hand in the drug mafia. The state has become a jungle raj and minorities are being killed day after day," he said.

Addressing the protest earlier, former MLC Monappa Bhandary alleged that the government was supporting drug peddlers and hindering the work of police. "Therefore, there are incidents of stabbing everywhere in the district," he said.

"Karnataka is becoming the state of murderers. Killers of Kalaburgi and Gauri Lankesh are yet to be nabbed. The district was known for communal harmony but not since Siddaramaiah became the chief minister. The government is trying to control the police department to remain in power by appeasing a particular community, killers and drug peddlers. Congress leaders and ministers are indirectly supporting them.

"The murder of Zubair is politically motivated. It is not possible to kill like that without any political support. The leader of ‘Target Group’ who is involved in the murder is a Youth Congress leader. People should understand this," he said.

BJP assistant spokesperson Sulochana Bhat said that the people who kill those who worked for the society are not human. "Minister Khader has not met the family of the deceased. The district is full of drug addicts and murders are taking place with the support of district in-charge minister. Police are not able to work properly because of him. A campaign is necessary to rescue the district. Political murders have continued in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada district. Karnataka state is moving towards becoming the next Bihar. Rs ten lac compensation should be paid to the family of the deceased."

BJP minority morcha state vice-president Rahim Uchil said that Congress has been doing politics in the name of Zubair. "There is no case registered against Zubair but Congress leader G A Bava says that he was a rowdy sheeter. We will lodge a complaint against him. Ganja addicts are being supported in Mangaluru for votes. Murders are being committed in broad daylight and MLA Khader is supporting them. Congress leaders are prepared to provide bail for them if they are arrested. Let our able police arrest the culprits and punish them even if it takes time," he said.

Former MLA Jayaram Shetty said, "BJP is not restricted to any group or community. It works for the welfare of all communities. A person belonging to U T Khader's community has been killed. If he is not able to maintain peace, let him resign," he said. He also demanded financial assistance to the family of Zubair.