Tension grips Mysuru after murder of BJP worker; Bandh being imposed

Mysuru, Mar 14: The Bharatiya Janata Party and other Hindutva groups are trying to impose a forceful bandh in Mysuru on Monday in protest against the death of a BJP worker in a clash on Sunday.

Raju (30), an electrical contractor, was murdered at Lal Bahadur Shastry Circle on M?G?Road under Udayagiri police station limits by a gang of three persons. The incident triggered tension in parts of the city.

It is said that Raju, along with his friend Jayakumar, was drinking tea at a roadside shop, when three bike-borne people arrived and attacked Raju with lethal weapons, before fleeing from the spot. Raju, who sustained severe injuries on his face and ears, died on the spot.

According to police, Raju, a resident of Kyatamaranahalli in the city, had left home on Sunday morning to meet his friends. Following the incident, a large crowd had gathered in front of the K R?Hospital mortuary demanding police to arrest the accused immediately.

As news of the murder spread, a large number of party supporters and workers gathered at the K.R. Hospital mortuary, resulting in tension for some time. Commissioner of Police B. Dayananda rushed to the spot and there were arguments between the police the party supporters.

A few people in the crowd also tried to gherao Police Commissioner. Security has been tightened near the mortuary.

Meanwhile, condemning the murder, BJP state unit president Pralhad Joshi said the BJP would support the Mysuru city bandh called on Monday. Accusing the police of failure to prevent such an incident, he demanded that the culprits be arrested at the earliest.

People help a person injured in Sunday's group clash in Mysuru