Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Bantwal, Oct 21: The murder of rowdy-sheeter Surendra Bantwal at Vasti Katta, Bastipadpu has raised concerns in the police establishment about the growing brazenness of the underworld. Following the gap of a few years, the underworld gangsters in Dakshina Kannada are flaunting their muscle power and settling their score through murders.

After the arrest of Bannanje Raja and Ravi Pujari, who had control over the criminal world in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Bengaluru, there was a break in the occurrence of murders relating to the criminal world. As per sources, few aides self-declared themselves as entry-level dons in the underworld while few others joined the rival groups. The shuffle among the aides created a rivalry between the gangs based on the fact that each has been in the rival gang at least once.

(From Left to Right): Manish Shetty, Kishan Hegde, Surendra Bantwal

The murder of Kishan Hegde, a local rowdy-sheeter and businessman opened the gates for a series of revenge murders between underworld gangs in Dakshina Kannada. Hegde was killed on September 24 in Hiriadka, Udupi district. The investigation in the case revealed that the murder was committed for financial reasons. However, sources from the underworld stated that Hegde was an associate of fugitive gangster Vicky Shetty.

The recent murder of bar owner Manish alias Sarvottam Shetty (41) who was shot and then hacked to death by assailants on Brigade Road on Thursday night, October 15 seems to have been the fallout of gang rivalries within the Mangaluru underworld, the police probe revealed. The arrested in this case also confessed that the crime was committed on the orders of mobster Vicky Shetty. Calling a Kannada TV Channel, Vicky Shetty had taken the responsibility of the murder and gave an open warning to his opponent, local don Manoj Kodikere.

Now it is believed that the murder of Surendra Bantwal is also closely connected with the underworld and believed to be a matter of settling of score between gangs. Police personnel are also conducting a serious investigation in this matter.

At the same time, the recent killings have raised concerns among the police. The rowdy-sheeters have now begun using their close involvement in various communal outfits to protect themselves. To receive support and security, the outlaws have started to identify themselves through a particular religion or religious outfits as a means to defend their criminal activities.

Following the arrest of killers Kishan and Manish, the police have issued a strong message and warned the underworld and their aides. In a statement Kamal Pant police commissioner, Bengaluru released a statement and said that such activities will not be tolerated and stringent action will be taken against the accused.