Bajrang Dal Activist Murdered In Shivamogga. Section 144 Imposed, Schools & Colleges Shut For Two Days

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said on Monday that It is not confirmed if there was any organisation behind the murder. 

Image used for representational purpose only | Original: A Paramilitary soldier stands guard during surprise checking in the city center on October 20, 2021, in Srinagar. (Getty Images)

New Delhi:  A 26-year-old Bajrang Dal activist was murdered in Shivamogga, Karnataka on Sunday night. The victim has been identified as a local named Harsha. After the incident, the security has been heightened in the area, news agency ANI reported.

Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner, Dr Selvamani R said Police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and Section 144 has been imposed. 

"The overall situation is peaceful. Local police, RAF are deployed to maintain law and order. Section 144 has been declared in the area. Further probe into the incident is underway," Deputy Commissioner told news agency ANI. 

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#Karnataka: Prohibitory orders have been clamped & a holiday has been announced for schools & colleges in #Shivamogga following the murder of 23-year-old office-bearer of the #BajarangDal in the communally sensitive city. The police dept is on high alert throughout the state.

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- IANS (@IANS) 21 Feb 2022

 

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Monday said that It is not confirmed if there was any organisation involved in the murder. He added that as precautionary measures, schools and colleges in the area have been closed for two days.

“A group of 4-5 youth murdered him. I don't know of any organization being behind this murder. Law & order situation under control in Shivamogga. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in city limits have been closed for two days,” he said.

A group of 4-5 youth murdered him. I don't know of any organization being behind this murder. Law & order situation under control in Shivamogga. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges in city limits have been closed for two days: Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra pic.twitter.com/hgSjUNRxuT

— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2022

As per the report by ANI, after the incident, several vehicles were torched in the Seegehatti area in Shivamogga city. The fire department had to be called to extinguish the fire on Sunday night. The investigation is underway in the case. 

There are speculations if the incident is related to the ongoing Hijab row in the state. For the past many days, the state has been in turmoil due to protests against the hijab ban in educational institutes.

The hijab protests have been countered by the right-wing groups who have been wearing saffron shawls against the hijab. The Karnataka HC is hearing the petitions filed by the protesters against the Hijab ban.