Shocking murder of HJV activist near Maroli

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 19, 2017: In a shocking murder  reported during the wee hours of February 19, Sunday, a Hindu Jagarana Vedike activist was hacked to death  at Niddel near Maroli. It is believed that activists of the same outfit were responsible for the killing. It has been gathered that police have already arrested  six accused in the case and have also recovered the weapon used for the murder. Four of the accused have been identified as Mithun, Neeshu, Kaushi and Vinesh.

The deceased is Pratap (25). The murder took place at around 1 am when Pratap was along with another fellow activist Manikanta. Sources said the assailants had actually targeted Manikanta and were following the duo. They finally attacked the duo at Niddel with machetes. If Pratap died on the spot, Manikanta sustained injuries.

Meanwhile,  it is said that the HJV activists planned to target Manikanta who had informed the police about the theft of cash belonging to Yakshagana artistes three years ago by  some HJV men.

The deceased Pratap was employed in Mysuru and had come to hometown recently while Manikanta was a mason.

Sources informed that Manikanta was busy with masonry work at a house at Maroli on February 18 when the assailants arrived there and picked up a quarrel. Though they had to leave the place after the house owner  asked them to move out, all of them had met at a birthday party of an HJV worker  named Achhu the same night. It was  later that  the murder took place.

Kankanady Police  are investigating the case.