Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (SP)
Shivamogga, Feb 21: State home minister Araga Jnanendra on Monday February 21 said that those responsible for the murder of Bajrang Dal worker Harsha will be arrested and punished at the earliest.
The youth was reportedly killed due to pre-existing enmity. In the light of perceived risk of friction between communities, section 144 has been clamped in the city. Holiday has been declared for classes 1 to 10 on Monday.
Speaking to media persons, the home minister said that he met Harsha's family and instilled confidence in them by assuring that the government is by their side.
He also said that there is information about who were involved in the murder.
"We know that five people were involved. We will arrest the culprits soon. In the meantime, I request people not to get emotional. It is necessary to maintain peace and order in the city," he stressed.
Jnanendra stated that the reasons behind the murder have to come out during the investigation. "It is said that there are a couple of cases against Harsha. People who feel that they can get away with anything and escape from the clutches of law will not be spared," he warned.
The minister noted that angry people have pelted stones and torched the motorbikes. He urged the people not to get involved with such acts. "We have given holiday for schools and colleges in the city today. There is no information about the organization which backed this murder. We are yet to pool together clear information. At the same time, it is necessary to undertake precautionary measures to make sure that such incidents do not recur," he said.
Jnanendra said that he is also as anguished as that of the crowd. But the right course will be to get the accused arrested and see that they are punished, he said. He pleaded again not to disturb peace and order, duly adding that his feeling is that this incident does not have anything to do with the Hijab controversy.
Bhadravathi MLA, B K Sangamesh, condemned the incident. Noting that the district is communally sensitive that is represented by the ruling party leaders, he felt that the intelligence officers should have come to know about the fact that such a thing is brewing, in advance.
"Those who have committed the heinous crime should be punished. Irrespective how big a person is, if he is involved with this murder, he has to face punishment. Law will take its own course. Administrative failure is apparent in this case," he stated.
Sangamesh felt that such incidents should not have happened in the home district of the home minister. "It is being said that the murder happened due to personal rivalry. There are claims that ganja trade was the cause of this incident. People have to remain peaceful," Sangamesh said. While requesting the people to behave responsibly and maintain peace, he urged them not to get involved with agitations, fight etc. "I tried to contact the home minister but he did not receive my call. I will try again," he said.
District superintendent of police, Laxmi Prasad, visited McGann Hospital. The police have been dispersing people who are coming together near the hospital. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai colleccted information relating to thie murder from the home miniser. He issued instructions to deploy more policemen and to maintain peace.