Members of the Mogaveera community (fishermen) closed their shops at fish markets and took to the streets on Friday demanding the immediate arrest of those accused in the murder of Gangadhar Pangal recently.
On May 15, Pangal, a leader in the fishing community and a Congress worker, was killed after a car rammed his motorcycle at Surathkal. Investigation by the police showed the accident to be deliberate, and arrested Harish Baikampady, Pusparaj and Baskar Baikampady in connection with the death. However, protestors said that the police had not arrested the main accused, Satish Baikampady, who was “absconding”.
Gathering in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office after a protest rally from Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi Circle) on Friday, Yashwant P Mendon, a Mogaveera leader, said an immediate arrest would ensure Mr. Satish did not obtain anticipatory bail.
He and other leaders at the rally believed the murder arose over differences in the membership into the Urva Mariyamma temple committee. Numerous fish vendors at the Fish Market at the service bus stand shut their shops to pressure the police to ensure the arrest of all accused.
A memorandum was submitted to the home minister through the DC.
