Sullia: Group clashes, death at Bisile shrine - Police undertake joint operation
Daijiworld Media Network – Sullia (SP)
Sullia, Jun 6: Raju, father-in-law of Halappa, who got killed during a pitched fight between two groups near Bisile shrine on Tuesday, has complained to the police about the incident. He stated that a group of youth from Subrahmanya and surrounding places had launched lethal assault on his son-in-law, causing his death. Based on this complaint, a joint police team comprising personnel from Hassan and Dakshina Kannada districts, has begun extensive investigation.
It is learnt that a group of 45 persons from Bachalli in Sakleshpur taluk in Hassan district had offered puja at Goddess Chowdamma shrine at Bisile, and cooked the animals given as sacrificial offerings to the Goddess, at the spot. The group also had about 20 women.
At the same time, a gang of over 25 youth from Subrahmanya surroundings was partying at the nearby lodge illegally. Drinks were used aplenty at this party, it is gathered. The two groups had initially fought with each other on the issue of parking of vehicles. It is said that when Halappa from the Sakleshpur group approached a stream flowing nearby for washing hands after food, the other group objected, saying that low caste people are not permitted to collect water from the stream. This gave rise to verbal duel, before the groups came to blows.
Halappa was hit with cudgel, his plate was kicked away, and he was kicked indiscriminately, before being tossed onto the road opposite the lodge, it is said. The youth from Subrahmanya also pelted stones at the women members of the other group, it is alleged.
Some people from the Sakleshpur group pacified the Subrahmanya youth, and took Halappa to a hospital at Subrahmanya, but he had breathed his last by then. The youth from Subrahmanya went away in about ten vehicles, the complaint states. The complainant also has provided video footage of the vehicles of the other group, taken by using a cell phone.
The police also questioned forest watcher posted at Bisile border, Ashok, for allowing the youth to hold liquor party at the forest lodge without permission from the department. It is said that arrangement for food and liquor was made by the forest officials. The police could get the names of about 35 people who participated in the party, it is said. Some staff of Subrahmanya temple too were part of the group from Subrahmanya, the police have learnt. The police went in search of the accused at houses in Subrahmanya and Yenekal on Wednesday night.
Hassan district superintendent of police, Amith Singh, Sullia circle inspector, Sudarshan, Sakleshpur circle inspector, Dinesh Patil, Yeslur station house officer, B S Shivarudrappa, and Subrahmanya station in-charge, Kushalappa Gowda, visited the spot. Hassan deputy superintendent of police K Raviprakash also came to Subrahmanya on Wednesday. Medical officer of the government hospital, Dr Yaduraj, conducted the post mortem, before handing over the body to the relatives.