A pall of gloom prevailed in the house of Vishwanath (32) at Alkola locality in the city on Friday. He was killed by armed men during the communal violence that erupted here on Thursday following a rally taken out by the Popular Front of India.
When Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar, who is also district in-charge Minister, and Shivamogga MLA K.B. Prasanna Kumar visited the house, people from the neighbourhood gathered and raised slogans condemning the alleged failure of the government to prevent the violence. Mr. Ratnakar gave a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh to Vasanth Shetty, Vishwanath’s father.
Vishwanath, who had married Saroja of Udupi district eight months ago, was the sole breadwinner of the family. He was working for Perfect Alloy Components here as a fitter.
Ramanna, their neighbour, said Vishwanath had taken loan to meet the medical expenses of his sister who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. She died last year and their mother was yet to come out of the shock. Vishwanath’s death had come as a bolt from the blue for the family that was grieving their daughter, Mr. Ramanna said.
Vishwanath had recently taken up an additional job as a delivery person with an ice-cream firm to clear the loan.
When Vishwanath’s body arrived at the house, his wife fainted and she was shifted to hospital.
