Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore/Chikmagalur
Mangalore/Chikamagalur, Apr 20: Expressing serious apprehensions about the death of cattle trader Kabeer at the hands of ANF (Anti-Naxal Force) who mistook him for a Naxal, Mangalore North MLA Mohiuiddin Bava strongly contended that the possibility of Bajrang Dal's involvement could not be ruled out in the tragic encounter.
Bava said that the case would be handed over to the CID for further investigation. Meanwhile, home minister K J George announced a compensation of Rs 5 lac to the victim's kin.
While the case is gradually taking the shape of a 'fake encounter', superintendent of police of Chikmagalur R Chetan repeated the same line of argument of 'mistaken identity' as put forth by the ANF.
File Photo
A complaint in connection to cattle trafficking has been registered by inspector of ANF, Niranjan, while attempt to murder case has been booked against three activists of Bajrang Dal for assaulting Kabeer’s relatives.
'Sudden attack without provocation'
However, speaking to daijiworld, Pramod, the driver of the mini truck that came under ANF's scrutiny in the wee hours of Saturday April 19, said, "We fled the place fearing the gun shots triggered by the ANF personnel that killed Kabeer. We stopped the mini truck at Tanikodu checkpost only to get the slip to continue our journey," he said. The ANF personnel stepped out of their TATA 207 and quizzed Pramod about the cattle. They suddenly made their way to the rear end of the mini-truck and shot Kabeer, said Pramod.
"Hearing the sound of gunshots, we got down from the vehicle and ran away from the spot in different directions," he added. Of the four who survived, Sarfaraz was declared as missing by the police later. He then presented himself at the checkpost.
When asked whether the ANF conducted any search operation before opening fire, he said they did not and added that the attack was without any provocation. He expressed doubts about the statements issued by the ANF after the incident, while revealing there was another vehicle slowly approaching the spot.
Complaint against Sarfaraz
Sarfaraz who ran away from the scene on hearing the gunshot went missing for some time on April 19. Later he was traced by the Chikamagalur police and taken into the custody for further investigation on the complaint registered by Niranjan.
'Fabricated story by ANF'
Speaking to daijiworld on the encounter and raising questions about the credibility of ANF, Bava said the ANF personnel without conducting any search of the vehicle straight away shot the bullet pointing the gun at Kabeer's chest. ANF personnel at the checkpost contended that Kabeer tried to flee the scene which forced them to mistake him for a Naxal. Bava claims this was a 'fabricated story' by the ANF to 'cover up' the unjust act and that there was a 'conspiracy' behind it.
"Bajrang Dal was creating a flutter over the cattle transportation and this incident is a testimony to the nexus between the police department and the Bajrang Dal to carry out a joint attack against innocents," he alleged.
“Over 3,000 locals gathered near Suratkal voluntarily closing down shops to express solidarity with the alleged encounter and attack by associates of Bajrang Dal," said Bava. The situation was slipping out of control but he requested the crowd to maintain peace promising he would ensure a transparent probe into the encounter.
This situation at Suratkal worsened when the residents received the news of victim’s family being brutally attacked alledgedly by Bajrang Dal activists. The activists even vandalized vehicles, pelting stones at three cars that brought the body back to Jokatte. As many as 25,000 people thronged the cemetery during the last rites.
'Bajrang Dal not involved'
Bajrang Dal leader Sharan Pumpwell denied the allegations leveled at BD and said he welcomed the move by the police department in making efforts to thwart cattle trafficking. "I do not appreciate the encounter that killed Kabeer but welcome the move by ANF in trying to stop the mini truck that was transporting the cattle," he said.
Further speaking on the attack against the family of the victim, he dismissed any involvement of Bajrang Dal associates in the attack and said this was a fractured comment passed by vested interests to hold the outfit responsible for an act in which it played no role.
Attack against driver
However, the driver who came under severe attack by the miscreants strongly suspected that the assailants were Bajrang Dal members. His hand was fractured in the attack and he was admitted to a private hospital at Mangalore. "I was trying to protect the family members who were being assaulted, which made the Bajrang Dal members vent their anger on me," Abdul Salam, the driver said.
Police evaded questions
When daijiworld contacted Seemanth Kumar Singh who heads the ANF, he said he was out of station and asked to contact the SP of Chikmagalur R Chetan. When daijiworld contacted Chetan to collect more information on the case, the SP declined from divulging information, nor did he give the contact number of ANF inspector Niranjan.
When pressed further for contact details, he suggested daijiworld to ring up Udupi SP Boralingaiah, however, the latter did not answer the call.