Normal life was affected as entire Kolar went into a spontaneous bandh on Tuesday to mourn the mysterious death of IAS officer D.K. Ravi in Bengaluru on Monday.
The young bureaucrat had won the hearts of the people of the district when he fought the sand mining and land mafia during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Kolar from August 2013 to October2014. He was known for his uncompromising stand and firm actions against the mafia.
The protesters demonstrated against K.H. Muniyappa, MP, and Varthur Prakash, MLA, saying elected representatives of the district were responsible for Mr. Ravi's transfer from Kolar in October.
An irate mob hurled stones at the home of Mr. Prakash, tore off a banner and burnt it there.
Mulbagal, Malur, Srinivasapur and Bangarpet also joined in the protests.
The bandh was peaceful except for a couple of stone-throwing incidents. Some miscreants vandalised a petrol pump.
Protests broke out as soon as the news of Mr. Ravi's death spread on Monday evening. Vehicular traffic on the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway was affected from Monday evening as protesters blocked roads.
Admirers of Mr. Ravi took out motorcycle rallies shouting slogans such as “D.K. Ravi amar rahe”.
In a few rural areas, men and women performed pujas to Mr. Ravi's photographs and recalled the service he rendered during a short stint in the district.
Functionaries of the CPI (M), BJP, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Hasiru Sene, Advocates’ Association, Janavadi Mahila Sangahtane, Janata Dal (Secular), SFI, DYFI and many other organisations participated in the bandh.
Demand CBI probe
Hundreds of people gathered at the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises to demand that Mr. Ravi's body should be brought to the district for people to pay their last respects.
At a condolence meeting organised by the District Advocates Association, speakers urged that the CBI should probe the mysterious death.
Additional Deputy Commissioner R.S. Peddappaiah and staff of the DC’s office observed two minutes' silence in memory of Mr. Ravi.
