Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar (SP)
Karwar, Feb 27: The attempt on the life of Bhatkal-Honnavar MLA, Mankala Vaidya, with a country bomb, at a programme, organized at Hosada village on the banks of river Sharavathi near Honnavar has come as a shock. The accused, Khaitan Raymond, whose hand was mutilated after the country bomb went off in his hand before it was hurled, is admitted into a hospital at Manipal where his condition is reported to be stable.
A flood-lit volleyball tournament had been organized by Sharavathi Yuvaka Sangha near Ranganimota in Hosada village. Although the programme was to begin at 9 pm, because of the late arrival of the MLA, it started at 11.15 pm. Even as the programme was in progress, a huge explosion was heard on the other side of the fence covering the ground. Sub-inspector, Anandamurty, who rushed to the spot, found that Khaitan Raymond (24), who was writhing in pain due to the explosion of the country bomb in his hand, rushed to a nearby well at the sight of the police and jumped into it, in an effort to end his life. The police brought him out, and admitted him into Manipal hospital, as he was bleeding profusely.
Raymond is from Honnavar and has relatives in Hosada village. Why he came there, where did he intended to explode the country bomb, by which mode of transpot he came there, why did he try to end his life, what was the explosive material used for making the bomb etc, are not answered as yet. Experts from Mangaluru arrived at the spot to investigate these points. The police registered a case after getting a complaint from Ganapati Madeva Ambiga on the night of Sunday, February 25.
Some feel that animosity caused on account of long-drawn tussle over demand for bridge across river Sharavathi could be the reason behind this act. Several organizations had been trying to get the bridge sanctioned since the last three decades. Locals had formed a committee for the purpose, and got letter from PWD about the bridge having been sanctioned. There was blame on the MLA for putting his weight behind the shifting of the spot where the bridge is proposed to be built.
Speaking to media persons on Monday, Mankala Vaidya said, "I condemn violence in all forms. These things do not solve issues. I naturally have opponents in politics but the enmity is limited to political field. I have done unprecedented public work in my entire constituency, including Sharavathi valley. Because I worked honestly, God saved me. The person who came to kill me has lost his hand."