Even after measures were taken to contain communal clashes in Dakshina Kannada, where tension was rife after a Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activist was hacked to death in broad daylight on June 21, an RSS activist was attacked just a few metres away from the Bantwal Police Station on Tuesday.
Despite prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code being imposed in the city, the activist was stabbed on the road.
RSS activist, Sharat, a resident of Kandur, was working at a laundry service and was attacked while leaving his shop.
“The bike-borne assailants brutally assaulted Sharat with sharp-edged weapons on the road between Kaikamba and BC Road Police Station check point. Sharat has injuries on his head and neck,” said Dakshina Kannada SP, Sudheer Kumar Reddy.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Sharat was stabbed as a retaliatory attack on SDPI activist Kalayi Ashraf. “Although the investigation has revealed that it may have been a retaliatory attack, Sharat does not have a history of violence, although he is a right-wing activist,” the SP added.
However, the SDPI and RSS activists blame police laxity for the attack.
“The attack has happened despite 750 police personnel being deployed for patrolling in Bantwal taluk alone. Despite this, they were not able to control the attacks and this time, the attack was just a few metres away from the police station. As far as I kow, SDPI was not involved in the stabbing,” SDPI leader Abdul Lateef said.
Prohibitory orders will remain in force until July 11. With the fresh extension, Bantwal taluk will complete 48 days of curfew. SP Sudheer Kumar said that the investigating team has questioned a few suspects in the stabbing incident.
“Sharat is still being treated and is in critical condition. There are deep wounds on his head and neck caused by sudden assault and stabbing and he has lost a lot of blood. He has not responded to treatment yet,” SP Reddy added.
Security has been beefed up in the district had police have set up multiple check points for inspection at night.