Two dead, three injured in group clash in Bantwal

MANGALURU:  A group clash which erupted at Farangipet in Bantwal taluk ended in the murder of two persons late on Monday night. Three others were injured in the same incident, and are recuperating. The deceased are Zia and Fayaz, residents of Adyar and the injured are Anees, Mushtaq and Fazal. Police sources said when Zia and his gang was plying in their car near Farangipet police outpost, a gang of five from another group waylaid their car, dragged them out and attacked them with lethal weapons. While Zia was killed at the spot, Fayaz succumbed at a hospital.

According to sources, Zia’s and and accused Hameed’s team were friends earlier and enmity began between them over ganja peddling. It can be recalled that Zia’s associate Abdul Rahman alias Sanna Putta was murdered in 2012 and Izaz of Kannur was the accused. In retaliation, Zia’s gang murdered Izaz in 2014. As both gangs had been planning to eliminate the members of opposite gang, they were waiting for an opportunity.

This twin murder is believed to be in retaliation to the murder of Izaz of Kannur, sources said. Superintendent of Police C H Sudheer Kumar Reddy rushed to the spot after the incident and took all measures to nab the miscreants. As Farangipet in Bantwal taluk is a communally sensitive place, police have been deployed at key points, sources said. Reddy said that both district and city police will investigate the case.

Teams of City Crime Branch(CCB), District Crime Investigation Bureau (DCIB) and four teams of inspector and sub inspectors at district and city police have been formed, he said. Credible clue on miscreants Meanwhile, Reddy expressed confidence of arresting the accused shortly saying that police have received credible information on culprits. “All teams have been working as per the direction of team heads and we will nab the culprits shortly,” he said.