The victim has been identified as Kabeer (30), son of Idinabba, from Krishnapura, Surathkal. He was one among the five people who were transporting cattle from Theerthahalli to Mangalore on a pick-up truck.
ANF sources said that the sleuths mistook the group for Naxals and opened fire near Sringri chekpost. Kabeer died on spot.
Another person identified as Sarfaraz, a resident of Jokatte was taken into custody by ANF. Rafeeq, a resident of Jokatte and driver Pramod managed to escape. Shekabba from Jokatte, who also managed to escape, is missing after the incident.
Rafeeq speaks
Rafeeq, after reaching Mangalore, told Coastaldigest.com that he and four others were plying cattle from Theerthahalli to Mangalore via Sringeri in a pick-up truck early on Saturday, when they were stopped at a check-post in Srigeri.
While he and the driver Pramod alighted from the truck to sign their entry at the check-post, he heard loud firing by the ANF vigil team personnel.
He said that he fled from the scene after he heard the ANF team opening fire at his companions at the Sringeri check-post.
He said that he, Pramod and Sheikabba escaped being captured by the ANF personnel, and ran for their lives. There were two others in the rear of the pick-up truck.
Being a resident of Jokatte, he returned to his hometown and sought the help of local MLA B A Moidin Bava.
According to Rafeeq, he found out about the death of his companion Kabeer only after he reached Mangalore. Kabeer was related to Rafeeq; he was the son of Rafeeq's uncle.
He said that another companion Sarfaraz was taken into custody by the ANF personnel at the spot.
Victim Kabeer (file photo)
Rafeeq, who escaped from ANF
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