Gulbarga: Thousands paid homage to PSI Mallikarjun Bande, who succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during a recent encounter with a gangster, at his native village Khajuri in Aland taluk. The ‘Gulbarga bandh’ called by the BJP passed off peacefully.
However Home Minister K.J. George, district-in-charge Minister Qamarul Islam and Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil had a narrow escape after an irate mob pelted stones on their convoy, apparently infuriated with their ‘conduct’ during cremation.
Scores of residents from Khajuri and surrounding villages, who had waited since Wednesday afternoon, raised slogans hailing his sacrifice when the body arrived there this morning. It was kept for public viewing till 3 pm at the “Deshmukh Vana”. The Home Minster and other dignitaries entered the Vana through its rear entrance, with a view to avoid trouble.
While the dignitaries were leaving the venue through the same route, a section of mourners, who got to know of their visit, tried to stop them to present their list of demands. However on seeing the VIPs rush off, they pelted stones on their vehicles.
Earlier on Wednesday night the body was brought to Gulbarga form Hyderabad. It was kept for public viewing at the DAR Grounds here till Thursday 8am. Besides George, Islam and Patil, state DGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau, ADGP(L&O) M N Reddy and other dignitaries paid their last respects. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd.
