Mangaluru: Police have arrested two persons in connection with the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru, said Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Rishikesh B. Sonawane.
Further, continuing ADGP (Law and Order) Alok Kumar said that Zakir and Shafique from Bellare have been arrested. The case needs to be further investigated and no other information can be given at this stage, he said. The accused will be produced before the court today itself and this is the only thing I can say now as the case is under investigation,” he added.
Locals informed that both of them were associated with the SDPI.
It is learnt that the two have multiple criminal antecedents. The accused have been arrested from Kasaragod. They have now been brought to Vittal Police Station. In all 21 people have been taken into custody and are being interrogated, it is said.
Sources explained that all the suspected individuals picked up by the police in connection with the murder have links with the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). However, there is no official statement from the PFI or police department on this.
According to sources, one of the arrested accused was seen wandering in the area just before the murder took place. When grilled, he had confessed to having passed on information to the killers. The police are also looking at involvement of forces operating from abroad.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated that it is a pattern in the border district of Kerala that criminals commit crimes and escape to their states. “To end this trend Kerala police department has to come forward. The state police are in touch with Kerala counterparts and one team has already gone to Kerala,” he added.
Minister for Higher Education, Information Technology-Biotechnology, Dr C.N. Ashwathnarayan has declared Rs 10 lakh compensation to the bereaved family of BJP activist Praveen. B.Y. Vijayendra, BJP’s state vice-president said that he will soon meet the family members to pay homage to the departed soul.
