Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Nov 12: Home minister of Karnataka, Ramalinga Reddy, stated that full details about the persons behind the shooting down of journalist, Gauri Lankesh, have been collected that the killers would be arrested soon.
Speaking at a programme of interaction with the media on Saturday November 11, Reddy however feigned ignorance as to whether those who slain Gauri were leftists or rightists. "We now know who had shot her dead. The details will be revealed after suitable evidences are put together," he stated, adding that the probe will continue till evidences are collected.
At the same time, special investigating team (SIT) officials, who took two persons from Gadag area into custody, released them after questioning. Someone had informed the district superintendent of police about people whose features matches with the sketches released by the police department, on the basis of which, Ashfaq from Gadag and Manjunath from KSRTC colony were brought to the city and interrogated in a secluded spot. Their statements were also obtained, it is said.
While Ashfaq was found to be working in a garage, Manjunath is unemployed. SIT officials say that they have been questioning people whose features match with the sketches prepared by the department and some others who were found to be involved with crimes in the past. They however added that so far they have not got any definite clue about the murderers or their motives.
At the same time, the minister confessed that those who murdered researcher, M M Kalburgi, are still at large and unidentified, adding that investigation is continuing.
About the law and order situation in the state, Reddy said that the police have been instructed to use provisions of Goonda Act to rein in those who frequently get involved with disturbances, adding that the trouble mongers also might face externment. He revealed that protecting girls near educational institutions has been given added priority and that police beets have been increased to achieve this objective.