Mangaluru/Bengaluru : Amid heightened communal tensions in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed police officials to take decisive action following the brutal killing of Koltmajalu Juma Masjid secretary Abdul Rahiman. The Chief Minister also urged investigators to explore possible links between this and other recent murders in the region, reported the Times of India.
Rahiman, a 32-year-old pickup driver, was murdered on Tuesday while unloading sand in Kuriyala village along with his colleague, 29-year-old Kalandar Shafi. According to eyewitnesses, a group of about 15 armed men on motorcycles attacked the duo with swords, machetes, and iron rods. Rahiman succumbed to his injuries on the spot, while Shafi remains in critical condition in the ICU.
An FIR has been registered, naming 15 individuals. Two of the accused have been identified as Deepak and Sumith. Shafi, who survived the assault, reportedly informed the police that the attackers were known to both him and Rahiman. Another fellow driver, Mohammad Nisar, who filed the complaint, recounted the horrifying incident: “We were unloading sand when they suddenly arrived and attacked Rahiman, who was sitting in the driver’s seat. Shafi tried to intervene and was also brutally beaten.”
Rahiman’s funeral was held under tight security on Wednesday and witnessed a massive turnout, bringing traffic to a standstill in some areas. As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS have been enforced in Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady, Kadaba, and Sullia taluks. Additional police forces have also been deployed following reports of stone-pelting in Surathkal that led to damage to two buses.
Speaking from Bengaluru, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “I have instructed the police to investigate the motive behind this killing and to act sternly against those involved. Violence will not be tolerated.”
Rahiman’s family believes the murder may have political undertones. “These killings are happening for political reasons. The government must ensure strict action and prevent more retaliatory violence,” said Mohammad Azmal, a relative of the deceased.
This latest incident comes just weeks after the murder of Hindutva activist Suhas Shetty in Mangaluru on May 1. One of the accused in that case, Naushad, was recently attacked in prison and later shifted to Mysuru jail for safety.
With communal tensions rising and two back-to-back killings creating an atmosphere of fear, the people of Dakshina Kannada await justice and peace.
