Kozhikode: The police and the Border Security Force have intensified their search for the jawan who shot dead inspector Ram Gopal Meena from Rajasthan at Payyoli, Kozhikode, on Thursday night. The BSF men were in Kozhikode in connection with the election duties and to monitor sensitive booths.
The incidents began at their temporary camp in the Islamic English Higher Secondary School, Iringal. According to sources, there were verbal clashes between Ram Gopal Meena and Umesh Pal Yadav, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, reportedly over granting of leave for the latter.
Yadav had been working without leave for nearly 45 days. Yadav shot six rounds at Meena injuring him on his thighs, back and behind the head. Though he was taken to the cooperative hospital in Vadakara, his life could not be saved.
The injury to the skull is suspected to have caused his death. His body was handed over to the BSF after post-mortem at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. The body will be taken to Kochi and then to his native place. Four bullets were recovered from his body, said sources at the hospital.
After firing, the accused is believed to have jumped the wall of the school and left his gun and pouch there.
Sources said that he changed his uniform and wore a lungi, as his uniform was seen near the spot. Some of the auto drivers in the area confirmed seeing the suspect near Karimbanapalam. “We have intensified the search for the accused and his photograph has been circulated in almost all the railway stations and other circles. It is too early to make a conclusion, but we are hopeful of arresting him in the next few days,” said Rural SP Pratheesh Kumar.
He also hinted at the difficulties in smoothly following up the case amidst the election preparations. Officials from Kannur BSF centre reached the spot in the wee hours of Friday. By 3 a.m., a dog squad from Payyoli inspected the spot. DySP Prajeesh Thottathil, Payyoli CI Joshi Jose and SI Agesh K.K. were present.
