Autorickshaw driver hacked to death

An autorickshaw driver had miraculous escape after his vehicle was hit by a city bus near Marnamikatta on Friday evening. He was trying to overtake a vehicle.

Two unidentified persons hacked to death a 29-year-old autorickshaw driver in Kalpane near Polali on Friday, the Bantwal Town Police said.

The police said driver Rajesh was attacked just a few minutes after he parked his autorickshaw at the parking area in Kalpane around 7 a.m. There were no other autorickshaws in the parking area at that time.

Two motorcycle borne men reportedly came to the parking area and hit Mr. Rajesh with sharp weapons around his neck and chest. He collapsed at the spot. Passers-by saw the injured Rajesh and informed the police.

Mr. Rajesh died on his way to a city hospital, the police said.

Following the murder, there was tension in Polali with several shops and business establishments downing their shutters. Additional police reinforcement was brought in to maintain peace in the area.

The police said Mr. Rajesh was an accused in the murder of Ikbal in 2007. He had been acquitted in the case.

Gold smuggling

The Customs officials arrested two persons for allegedly trying to smuggle in 529.64 grams of gold, at Mangalore International Airport on Friday.

The officials seized 298.45 grams of gold concealed in chocolates kept in a carton reportedly carried by Davood Abdulkader Ibrahim of Kasaragod. They also found 231.19 grams of gold concealed in two photo frames and three eyeliner bottles in a carton reportedly carried by Abdur Rahman Kunnil Abdul Khader of Kasaragod.