The Maddur police have arrested four persons for the murder of JD(S) leader Thoppanahalli Prakash.
The arrested are Shivaraj, Yogesh, Hemanth, and Swamy, all residents of Thoppanahalli. Four more persons are still at large.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy visited the house of the slain leader and met his family members. He termed the incident as “shocking and unfortunate” and said justice would be delivered. The Chief Minister was told by the family that Prakash’s murder was planned by some local persons and executed by “supari” killers. However, the police said they are investigating all angles.
Speaking to presspersons, the Chief Minister clarified that he had not ordered the police to “mercilessly kill the assailants.” “As a common man and not as Chief Minister, I expressed my pain on a phone call as I was too emotional at that moment. But it was quoted out of context,” he said.
Soon after hearing the news of the murder, Mr. Kumaraswamy, who was in Vijayapura on Monday, had told a person (believed to be a senior police officer) to mercilessly shoot the assailants.
Meanwhile, the situation in Thoppanahalli continued to be tense on Tuesday. Houses of two people suspects, Prasanna and Muthuraj, were vandalised by JD(S) workers. Both are absconding. Earlier, Prakash’s body was taken to the village from the mortuary under heavy police security. Later, the funeral was held.
Various human rights’ organisations have planned to meet Karnataka Human Rights Commission chairperson on Wednesday against Mr. Kumaraswamy’s remark.