Rahiman, a pick-up vehicle driver, was brutally murdered on May 27 while unloading sand at Kolathamajalu in Bantwal taluk, near Mangaluru. According to reports, two men on a motorcycle attacked him with lethal weapons in broad daylight. Another individual, Shafi, who was present with Raheem, sustained injuries and was hospitalised.
In response to the rising tensions, authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Sanhite (BNSS), 2023.
Rahiman’s killing is the third brutal murder reported from Dakshina Kannada district in less than a month. On April 27, Mohammed Ashraf was lynched during a cricket match near Mangaluru. Just days later, on May 1, Suhas Shetty, an accused in the Fazil murder case was hacked to death in Bajpe.
News of Rahiman’s murder sparked public outrage, with large crowds gathering outside the Highland Hospital. Many blamed hate speech for the killing and demanded immediate arrests of those responsible for inciting communal tensions.
Shafi, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently undergoing treatment at Highland Hospital.
Rahiman’s body is at the mortuary of a private ospital in Deralakatte, and a heavy police presence deployment has been done in and around the area.
The series of violent incidents has raised concerns over law and order in the region. District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao condemned the killing, calling for immediate action to identify those behind Raheem's murder. He said he has instructed the Director General and Inspector General of Police to take urgent steps to maintain peace. The minister said he has directed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to increase security in communally sensitive areas.
Acting on a report from the Superintendent of Police, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Anand K issued the order on May 27, warning of possible disruptions to law and order. The restrictions will be in effect from 6 pm on May 27 to 6 pm on May 30 in Bantwal, Belthangady, Puttur, Kadaba, and Sullia taluks.
Separately, the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate issued similar prohibitory orders based on intelligence inputs from the City Special Branch.