Second violent incident in city within a month; police probe ongoing
Bantwal: A tempo driver was murdered in broad daylight in a remote area near Kambodi-Irakodi in Bantwal taluk, about 20 km from Mangaluru, on Tuesday. The incident has sparked tension in the communally sensitive region, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders in the district.
The victim, identified as Abdul Rahim was attacked with sharp weapons by a group of unidentified assailants while unloading goods at a secluded location. A youth accompanying him, Kalandar Shafi, sustained injuries during the attack and is currently being treated at a private hospital in Mangaluru.
Sources said Rahim received a phone call earlier in the day from someone enquiring about transporting goods in his tempo. The caller reportedly guided him to the Kambodi-Irakodi stretch. When Raheem was unloading sand he was attacked.
Shafi, who suffered injuries to his hand, managed to escape. Police are investigating whether the motive behind the attack was personal enmity or if it has communal undertones.
In view of the situation, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNS. The restrictions will be in effect from 6 pm on May 27 to 6 pm on May 30 in the taluks of Bantwal, Belthangady, Puttur, Kadaba, and Sullia. The decision was taken based on a report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, citing potential threats to law and order.
City Police Commissioner too has imposed prohibitory orders in City Police limits. Health and Family Welfare Minister and district in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao condemned the killing and said there appeared to be a “deliberate attempt” to disturb communal harmony in the region.
Taking to social media platform X, the minister stated, “The murder of Abdul Rahim is highly condemnable. The exact reason behind the incident is still unclear. A deliberate attempt seems to be underway to disturb peace in Dakshina Kannada. This murder appears to be part of a larger pattern.”
He added that he had spoken to Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, the Director General of Police, and the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to ensure a thorough investigation. The minister also instructed the district administration to take stringent measures to maintain peace and appealed to the public to remain calm and not fall prey to rumours.
Meanwhile, the Bantwal Rural Police have registered a case and launched a manhunt for the attackers.
Sangh Parivar activist Sushanth Shetty was murdered last month. The incident had resulted in communal tension in the region then.
Former mayor and Muslim Okkuta president K Ashraf condemned the murder of Abdul Rahim. He alleged that it was a pre-planned and systematic act carried out by communal miscreants.
“The conspirators had openly declared their intentions in advance, yet the crime was not prevented. The police must immediately arrest all those directly and indirectly involved in this heinous act,” Ashraf said.
He described the victim as an innocent individual with no enmity towards anyone, adding that he was lured under the pretext of transporting sand and then murdered.
“This is not just a murder—it is a hate crime driven by communal motives. Such actions are not only condemnable but also deserve the strictest punishment under the law,” he stated.
