Mysuru: Lashing out at opposition BJP, Kodagu district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundurao said that they should not indulge in politics over a dead body.
Shahul(22), breathed his last after he was shot during violence that erupted over Tipu Sultan birth anniversary on November 10.
The minister visited the mortuary in a private hospital in the city where the body of a youth is kept who allegedly died after he was shot at during violence in Madikeri.
Speaking to media persons, the minister said that nobody should play politics over such cases. Whichever be the party or organisation, they should not make statements that result in communal violence. Both the victims of the violence have been given Rs 5 lakh as compensation by the government. Already government has asked for a regional probe and also local police are investigating the case. Those involved in the violence will be punished as per law, he said.
He also assured to hold peace talks with the two communities and bring situation under control. “All necessary arrangements have been made for tomorrow’s bandh,” he said.
Meanwhile Dr Bharath Reddy of the Apollo hospital confirmed that Shahul died after he was shot. “The victim was immediately brought to the hospital, he was unconscious. He did not respond to the treatment and breathed his last,” he said.
The decision to hold freedom fighter’s birth anniversary sparked several protests by BJP and right wing groups mainly in Madikeri where a VHP leader was killed. Police have claimed that he fell from a building while trying to run when police laticharged.
The Siddaramaiah government defended Tipu Sultan and said that he was a secular ruler. “He was a model king in the entire country. A section of people criticise him out of prejudice.”
