MYSURU: A Sri Ram Sene activist was murdered by unidentified assailants in broad daylight near Udayagiri Signal on Sunday. Following the incident, the BJP city unit has called for a bandh on Monday to protest the murder. Raju (39), known as ‘RSS Raju’, was a resident of Kyathamarahalli.
He was attacked with machetes and other lethal weapons by a gang of four when he was drinking tea in a roadside stall with his friend Jaikumar. He was rushed to KR Hospital were he was declared brought dead.
As the news of Raju’s murder spread, hundreds of workers of BJP, RSS and other right-wing organisations thronged the KR Hospital mortuary.
Raju was instrumental in building a Ganesha temple and was also organising Hindus in Udayagiri, NR Mohalla and Kytharamanahalli. BJP city unit president Maruthi Rao Pawar said the police should take the case seriously and nab the assailants. He said any delay in arresting culprits would lead to tension and give room for suspicion.
He added that the police officers have assured him of forming four teams to probe the murder. Pawar said the police should not succumb to political pressure and keep a vigil on a few local leaders who may protect the assailants. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner B Dayanad and other top officials rushed to step up police bundobust in Kythamaranahalli, Udayagiri and other communally sensitive localities in the city. The police stepped up vigil across the city to see that peace is maintained.
The police officers decided to look into CCTV footages of a nearby bank and ATM to zero in on the culprits. The victim’s friend Jaikumar will be questioned to come out with a sketch of the accused involved in the crime.