Udupi: Police in the Hiriadka station limits arrested two individuals on Tuesday for recklessly firing shots from an unlicensed rifle, endangering human lives during an alleged hunting attempt earlier this month.

The incident occurred around 12:15 am on September 1 in Kanajaru village, near the residence of Gururaj Manjittaya. The accused reportedly opened fire without taking any precautions. A bullet struck the glass of a parked car and later lodged into a wooden door, sparking panic among residents.

Following a complaint, a case was registered at the Hiriadka police station. After sustained investigation, the police tracked down and arrested the suspects on September 10.

Accused identified

The arrested men have been identified as:

  • Pradeep (32), son of Vasu Naik, a resident of Darkhasu House, Kondadi, 82 Kudi village, Udupi taluk.

  • Manoj (25), son of Kutti, a resident of Poopadi Kallu, Guddeangadi post, Bommarabettu village, Udupi taluk.

    • Both accused were produced before the court and have been remanded to judicial custody.

    Seizure of weapon and other items

    During the operation, police seized:

    • An unlicensed single-barrel gun valued at around Rs 50,000.

  • Seven live cartridges.

  • A Bajaj Discover motorcycle, worth around Rs 40,000, allegedly used in the crime.

    • The seizure highlights growing concerns about the circulation of unlicensed firearms in rural areas.

    Police team and leadership

    The operation was executed under the supervision of Udupi district superintendent of police Hariram Shankar, IPS, with additional guidance from Additional SP-1 Sudhakar, KSP, DySP Prabhu D T (Udupi sub-division), and Circle Inspector Gopikrishna.

    The team on the ground comprised PSI Puneeth Kumar B E, PSI Vithal Malvadkar, and staff members Praveen Rai, Krishna, and Karthik.

    Conclusion

    UDUPI: The arrests and recovery of an unlicensed rifle underline the police department’s vigilance in curbing illegal arms possession and reckless firing practices in the district. Authorities have assured that further investigation will continue to ensure such incidents do not recur, especially where the lives of innocent residents are put at risk.