Mandya, Dec 27: A tense atmosphere continued to prevail in Mandya's Thopanahalli, which witnessed a double murder during a clash over a petty issue two days ago. Five persons have been arrested in this connection.
The deceased are Nandeesh and Muthuraju. Nandeesh was pursuing a diploma course at the Government Polytechnic in Ramanagaram while Muthuraju, a farmer, had contested the GP polls a few times with JD(S) support.
The Maddur police have arrested Shivu, Hemanthkumar and Muthuraju, who were being treated at the taluk hospital, on Sunday night. The prime suspect Prasannakumar, son of Shivanna, and Kumar were arrested on Monday morning.
Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar Reddy told reporters that the police have launched manhunt to nab the other suspects who are at large. The last rites of the bodies of the slain JD(S) workers were performed on Monday, amid police security.
The district police have turned the village into a khaki fortress. Four platoons of reserve police, led by DySP Mathew Thomas, are camping in the village to prevent any untoward incident. Police jeeps, fire brigade vehicles and ambulances are stationed as a precautionary measure. The houses of the accused Shivanna and Devaraju were found locked as their family members have left the village.
Meanwhile, demanding stern action against the accused, the residents of the village blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway near T B Circle, disrupting vehicular traffic for more than an hour.
Earlier, JD(S) state president H D?Kumaraswamy visited the town hospital, consoled the grieving families and presented cheques for Rs 1 lakh each. He was accompanied by MLA D C Thammanna, MLC?K T Srikantegowda and JD(S) district president D Ramesh.
The police prevented the JD(S) workers from taking out the bodies in procession. The party workers got into a heated exchange with the police. The agitating workers withdrew their protest following the intervention of Kumaraswamy.
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