Tensions flared in Karnataka’s coastal region after a young man was brutally attacked and killed with swords on Tuesday near Irakodi, close to Kuriyala in Bantwal taluk. The gruesome murder has triggered strong communal reactions, prompting authorities to enforce prohibitory orders in several taluks to maintain law and order.
The victim has been identified as Abdul Raheem, also known locally as Imtiyaz, a resident of Kolattamajalu. He was reportedly unloading sand from a pickup vehicle when two assailants, armed with swords, ambushed and attacked him, as per a report on India Today. According to police reports, another person who was present during the assault also sustained serious injuries and has been admitted to a hospital for treatment. The severity and timing of the attack have triggered intense public outrage.
Raheem’s violent death quickly resonated across social media platforms, with several users alleging that the killing may have been a retaliatory act in response to the recent murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty, reported Deccan Herald. As anger grew online and on the ground, a large crowd gathered outside Highland Hospital in Mangaluru, where the victim’s body was taken for post-mortem examination.
Imtiyaz was known to be an active member of the South Canara Sunni Federation. While preliminary investigations suggest that revenge could be a possible motive, law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed any direct connection between Tuesday’s murder and the killing of Suhas Shetty.
Suhas Shetty Murder
The murder of Suhas Shetty had itself stirred controversy and heightened political tensions in the region.
A 42-year-old figure associated with Hindutva organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, Shetty had a history of criminal cases registered against him. His death last month had already set a volatile backdrop in the region.
