Six people have been arrested in connection with Bajrang Dal activist Harsha murder case here while some are at large, a senior police officer said on Tuesday, as stray incidents of arson 𝓰and violence were reported in the city this morning.
The victim's sisterꦕ rued the "brutal" manner in which Harsha was killed and appealed to people to give up fanaticism. She also wondered if there was no value🅷 for humanity.
The 28 year-old Harsha was stabbed to death on Sunday night here leading to clamping of prohibitory order even as ꧋the city witnessed arson, violence and stone pelting.
"We have arrested Moh༺ammed Kashif, Syed Nadeem, Ashꦚifullah Khan, Rehan Khan, Nehal and Abdul Afnan in connection with the case. All are aged between 20 to 22 years, except Kashif who is 32. They are all residents of Shivamogga," Superintendent of Police B M Lakshmi Prasad told reporters.
He said these people were earlier staying together but were now living separately🐭. Kashif has some criminal cases against him.
According to Prasad, a few more are involved in the case and a manhunt has been launch🐬ed to tr✱ack them.
"We are getting lot of info🏅rmation. We are checking the veracity of the claim befജore making part of our investigation," the officer said.
He also said tꦍhat four of the accused wer🦋e directly involved in the case while two others were part of the conspiracy.
The police officer said 12 more people were detained and questioned but their role did not🧸 come to light.
Harsha also had cases pending against him, including for rioting, he 𓆉said.
Meanwhile, the activist's sister, Ashwini said she has been receiving photos and videos from🥂 unknown mobile phone numbers of her brother lying dead in a pool of blood.
"My brother always used to chant 'Jai Sri Ram' and is now no more. Is this the brutal way a person should be killed. Don't t꧂hey have family members at home. Isn't there any value for humanity," she told reporters.
Ashwini asked people to give up fanaticism.
"My brother is now there (in the cremation ground) because he always spoke about Hindu-Hindutva. I appeal to all my brothers and sisters, to the Muslims and Hindu-- that you should be good children of your parents and do not indulge these things," she said without elabo🐼rating.
Following Harsha's killing, the city witnessed violence, arson, stone-pelting and d𒆙amage to the 💎properties during the funeral procession on Monday that left at least three persons, including a photo journalist and a policewoman, injured. Several two-wheelers were either damaged or torched.
Police personnel have been depl꧙oyed at every nook and corner of the city. The district authorities have appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm.
Additional Director General of Police C Pratap Reddy said a few vehicles were burnt in Tunganagar on Tuesday morning, despite prohibitory orders which have been clamped under section 🎉144 of the CrPC.
"Following the murder of Harsha, there was a very tense situation in the city and certain surro🐬unding areas. Additional forces were rushed to Shivamogga and lot of arrangements were made by the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police to ensure that the fallout of the murder does not spread further," Reddy said.
The official said 14 different incidents of arson and violence took place in the city after the murder, which would require filing of FIRs.
In three cases FIRs have been registered, he said, adding, the police were 🥃trying to trace those who loꦿst their motorbikes and properties in the arson and violence.
Regarding the arson and violence that ensued following t🀅he murder, Prasad said it is also part of in♊vestigation. According to him, so far 18 vehicles have been damaged.
Earlier, a few BJP leaders including Karnataka Minister K ♏S Eshwarappa and Union M🅘inister of state Shobha Karandlaje claimed a conspiracy behind Harsha's murder, and demanded NIA probe into it.
Eshwarappa, who is from the district, alleged "Musalman goondas" were behind the activist's murder.
BJP Natio🐻nal General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh alleged Harsha was killed by jihadi fundamentalists for his opposition to Hijab at💖 educational institutions.
Karnatak💜a Revenue Minister R Ashoka said the murder has a link with the ongoing Hijab row in the state.
"This murder happened when the Hijab controversy started. It is evident that there is a link between this murder and thඣe H🐈ijab row," Ashoka said.
A few Muslim girls from Udupi had approached the Karnataka High Court when they were allegedly denied entry to the classes with their Hijabs or the Is🎃lamic headscarves on.
In reaction to the girls wearing Hijab, some Hindu students started coming to college wearing saffron scarves. The trend of Hijab versus saffron scarves gradually spread to other parts of the state leading to communal tension in some educational institutions.
