Mangaluru, Dec 29: The Central Crime Branch of Mangaluru City Police has arrested two associates of notorious underworld operative Khali Yogish for their alleged involvement in three cases of firing reported in the city limits this month.
The arrested has been identified as Manoj Kunder (35), a native of Mulki and Chandrashekar (32) from Pakshigere. Police Commissioner T.R. Suresh said that the two were directly involved in the three cases.
The first case of firing was reported on December 7 at Rajashri Jewellers at Kinnigoli. The next day, two motorcyclists reportedly fired at Mahalinga Naika, an employee of M. Sanjeev Shetty Silks and Sarees outlet on Car Street. The third incident was reported on December 23 when two-motorcycle borne men opened fire at the house of industrialist and realtor Nagaraj at Mulki.
Mr. Suresh said that Kunder, an electrician, and Chandrashekar were in direct touch with Khali Yogish for nearly two years. The two were passing on information, including phone numbers, of industrialists to Khali Yogish who, in turn, made ransom calls. The gang’s modus operandi was to open fire at industrialists in a bid to frighten them when they did not pay ransom.
Mr. Suresh said that Kunder joined the Indian Army in 2000 and left it after working for a year. Kunder was good at shooting. Chandrashekar assisted Kunder in electrical works, he said.
Mr. Suresh said that a CCB team, led by Inspector Shantaram, gathered ground information to catch the two. The police are on the look-out for more persons associated with Khali Yogish.
Following the three firing incidents, Mr. Suresh said, some industrialists approached the police to report threat calls. The police were keeping a close watch on the movements of Khali Yogish’s associates. A red corner notice to secure Khali Yogish, who is reportedly based in Morocco, was recently renewed, he said.
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