Mangaluru, May 2 (NationPress) - In a bid to uphold law and order in the communally-sensitive Mangaluru district, the Karnataka Police have dispatched additional teams from neighboring districts following the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty within the jurisdiction of the Bajpe police station, according to police reports.

Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal stated, "Discussions have been held with police headquarters regarding the current situation, resulting in the deployment of extra police forces to Mangaluru. Officers of varying ranks, including Superintendent of Police and Additional Superintendent of Police, are being transferred from different districts. The headquarters has sanctioned this increased presence, and these officers will arrive tonight."

He further mentioned, "We are forming three to four specialized teams to pursue the suspects. These teams will operate under the guidance of an Assistant Commissioner of Police. The operations will commence this evening. We are actively working to apprehend those responsible for this incident."

In discussing the murder, Commissioner Agarwal elaborated, "The incident occurred between 8:30 and 8:40 p.m. near Kinnipadavu, which falls under the Bajpe police station. The victim, known as a history-sheeter, Suhas Shetty, was traveling in an Innova vehicle accompanied by five to six associates. At that moment, assailants arrived in two vehicles: a goods carrier and a Swift car."

"Initially, the goods vehicle collided with Suhas Shetty’s car. Subsequently, individuals emerged from the Swift car and specifically targeted him, attacking with machetes and other weapons, striking various parts of his body," he explained.

His associates also sustained injuries during the attack and were promptly transported to A.J. Hospital, where Suhas Shetty was pronounced dead. Two of his companions are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries.

Commissioner Agarwal revealed, "Suhas Shetty, a history-sheeter, was implicated in two murder cases, including the 2022 murder of Fazil Mohammad, where he was the primary accused. He had recently been released on bail and was under constant surveillance."

"We have acquired video footage and are actively working to identify the suspects. Given the sensitive nature of Mangaluru, we have increased security measures, patrolling, and cordon operations. Senior officers and personnel from surrounding districts are en route, and we will ensure stringent security across Mangaluru starting tonight," he reiterated.

Commissioner Agarwal added, "Suhas Shetty was involved in two murder cases and faced three additional charges. He was under close observation, and we had issued warnings post his bail release. Nevertheless, this incident occurred, suggesting a possible revenge killing. We have gathered video evidence and will ascertain whether this was indeed a revenge act or motivated by other factors."

The coastal city of Mangaluru in Karnataka is experiencing heightened tensions following the murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty.

Suhas Shetty, affiliated with the Bajrang Dal, was primarily accused in the murder of Mohammad Fazil, a Suratkal resident.

Allegedly, Shetty and his associates killed Fazil in a public space on July 28, 2022, as retaliation for the murder of BJP activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru.

Nettaru, a BJP worker from the same sensitive region, was brutally murdered amidst the escalating 'hijab' controversy.

The killing took place in Bellare, near Sullia, in the Dakshina Kannada district.

The murder of Nettaru incited a series of revenge killings and violent incidents statewide.

Recently, Mangaluru witnessed the mob lynching of a man from Kerala, identified as Mohammad Ashraf, who was allegedly heard shouting "Pakistan Zindabad" during a cricket match.

Authorities are investigating potential links between Suhas Shetty’s murder and this incident.

As a result of these developments, the coastal region of Karnataka remains on high alert.

Previously, revenge killings had deeply affected the region and the entire state.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had to exert considerable effort to quell the unrest amongst Hindu activists following Nettaru’s murder in 2022.

Concerns were raised over the BJP government's hesitation to visit and console the family of Fazil after his murder, while they promptly visited Nettaru's residence to announce government compensation.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently investigating Nettaru's murder case.