Madikeri, Nov 12: The violence unleashed by Sangh Parivar activists in Madikeri to oppose the birth day celebration of Tiger of Mysuru Tipu Sultan on Tuesday has claimed third life. Shahul Hameed (25), who was shot by miscreants in Madikeri on the same day, breathed his last at a hospital in Mysuru on Wednesday.
Shahul Hameed, who had reportedly gone to participate in Tipu Jayanti, was returning home after Sangh Parivar activists staged violent protest. Miscreants reportedly opened fire at him on the road at Neerakolli near Chettalli. He suffered severe bullet injuries.
After first aid at Madikeri hospital, he was taken to Mysuru for further treatment. However, he breathed his last after 24 hours.
This is the third death caused by the Madikeri violence. Two persons, including a VHP office-bearer, died during a protest on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, opposing the move to celebrate Tipu Jayanti, the BJP and pro-Hindu organisations had called for voluntary bandh and black day. However, the district administration went ahead with the event at Town Hall in Madikeri.
People from Kushalnagar, Napoklu, Yemmemadu, Virajpet, Somwarpet, Kodlipete had arrived in Madikeri to take part in the celebrations. However, the Sangh Parivar activists tired to prevent them from heading to the auditorium and started pelting stones.
As a result, both the groups were embroiled in a clash. The mob started running helter-skelter after police resorted to lathi charge to control the situation. In the melee, VHP organising secretary Kuttappa (70), fell from a height of 20 feet and died. The post-mortem report will ascertain whether he died of fall or from stone-pelting, police said. During the stone-throwing near the district hospital, Raju, a resident of Kannandabane admitted to the hospital, ventured out to check what was happening. When the stones started falling near him, he tried to move from the place and in the hurry, accidentally fell and died, said an eyewitness.
Kodagu district remained shut for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Schools and colleges were closed and the attendance at government offices was minimal. Private and KSRTC buses remained off the road, while shops and business establishments were shut down. The roads wore a deserted look. Kodagu In-charge DC Kurma Rao has extended Section 144 till Thursday.
Somwarpet also experienced stone-throwing. As a result, the Tipu anniversary programme was stopped midway. Miscreants set afire a car at Gonikoppa on Tuesday night. Additional forces were pressed into service in the district.
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