Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 13: Timely action by the police saved a family from being robbed. In a swift operation, city crime branch police inspector, Valentine D'Souza, police sub-inspector, Shyam Sundar, and other personnel, acting under the orders of city police commissioner, R Hitendra and  guidance of deputy commissioners of police, Dr Jagadish and Vishnuvardhan N, succeeded in arresting Abubakker Siddique alias Siddique (26) from Mudipu, Nitin Kumar alias Nittu (23) from Karkala, and Guruprasanna (22), a resident of Salethur in Bantwal taluk, on Wednesday March 12.

The arrested persons are stated to be the associates of underworld fugitives, Ravi Poojary, and Kali Yogish. The poilcemen  confiscated a motor cycle, six rounds of live ammunition, three swords, and chilli powder from their possession. It is said that the gang had been planning to rob a rich family. They were arrested from a road leading from Taudugoli Cross to Natekal Cross. Reportedly, this gang was involved with collection of information and telephone numbers of leading entrepreneurs and builders from the coast and supplying the same to Ravi Poojary and Kali Yogish.

The policemen got information on Wednesday morning that four persons had come together near Manjanady Canteen, and that they had drawn a sketch to rob rich persons. By the time the police party reached the spot, one of them had fled, and the other three were taken into custody.

The policemen believe that one or more of these persons would have provided information about Lokanath G Shetty of Bharathi Builders in the city to underworld elements. It may be recalled that on Monday, motor bike-born youth had reached office of Bharathi Builders and threatened the people there before brandishing a pistol and leaving behind live bullet. The policemen now plan to match recordings of the CCTV camera there to get more information on the issue.

At the same time, the police have been told by Lokanath G Shetty, contrary to information published in the media, that he did not have any connection with Bejai Raja. He however, admitted that he had given some donations for programmes Raja used to organize at Bejai Anegundi, like he does to several other people and organizations.

In the meanwhile, a rumour that Ravi Poojary was in Mangalore, spread in the city. It is learnt that an unidentified person called a local newspaper office on Wednesday morning, claiming that Ravi Poojary had rented a room in a three-star hotel in the city, and that the policemen did not know about this. The caller wanted the policemen to raid the hotel and kill Ravi Poojary. The policemen however said they do not have any information, and added that people who give concrete information about this fugitive will be suitably rewarded.