28-05-2025
CM orders crackdown after Juma Masjid secy's murder in M'luru
Mangaluru/Bengaluru: Tension reigned in Dakshina Kannada after the secretary of Koltmajalu Juma Masjid, Abdul Rahiman, was hacked to death in Bantwal on Tuesday, prompting chief minister Siddaramaiah to direct the police to crack down on those indulging in violence and probe whether there's a link between the recent murders reported in the district.
"I told the police to act tough and probe the motive behind the recent killings," Siddaramaiah said in Bengaluru.
Police suspect communal or personal reasons behind the killing of Rahiman, 32, who worked as a pickup driver. He and his co-worker, Kalandar Shafi, 29, were unloading sand outside a customer's house in Kuriyala village when they were attacked with swords by a group of men on motorcycles.
Rahiman died on the spot, while Shafi is still in ICU.
The victim was laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon amid tight security. His body was brought in a procession from Ullal to Kolathamajalu, drawing a large crowd from the Muslim community and bringing traffic on B C Road and its adjoining areas to a standstill. Several shops remained shut.
Section 163 of BNSS was enforced across Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady, Kadaba, and Sullia taluks and additional police force was deployed.
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Stone-pelting was reported in Surathkal, where two buses were damaged.
Mohammad Azmal, a relative of Rahiman, said: "These murders are happening for political reasons. I request the govt to take stern action against the accused and stop these retaliatory killings."
According to the FIR, Shafi told the police that the assailants were known to him and Rahiman. Deepak, Sumith, and 13 others were named in the FIR.
Mohammad Nisar, a fellow driver who filed the police complaint, said: "While we were unloading sand outside the residence of one Rajiv in Kuriyala village, about 15 people carrying machetes and rods attacked Rahiman, who was in the driver's seat.
When Shafi tried to intervene, he too was assaulted."
Rahiman's killing follows the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru on May 1. One of the accused, Naushad alias Chotte Naushad, was attacked in prison earlier this month and was moved to Mysuru jail.
Reacting to the Bantwal murder and the spike in tension, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is also the minister in charge for Dakshina Kannada, lashed out at Opposition BJP, saying: "When it comes to murderers, there is no question of considering caste or religion.
Our govt will conduct an impartial investigation."
Meanwhile, BJP condemned the arrest of VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell, who had called for a bandh after Shetty's murder. He was released on bail hours after his arrest.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra said: "Since the Congress govt came to power in the state, Hindus have not been receiving adequate protection. Instead, this govt has been intimidating and harassing Hindu activists through the police."
