A heated exchange of words between Suhail Kandak, State general secretary of the Youth Congress, and Salman, also a Youth Congress activist, led to a clash between supporters of the two in Mukkacherry in Ullal on Sunday night. Kandak is said to have shot at one of Salman’s supporters, while the latter’s supporters assaulted Kandak and his supporters.
The police have arrested six persons in connection with the shooting incident, while seven were arrested for the assault on Kandak and his supporters.
Talking to reporters here on Monday, Police Commissioner P.S. Harsha said that Arshad, who works for Kandak, was promoting Kandak’s cause on social media sites. This angered Salman who called Arshad a few days ago and questioned the latter why he was projecting Kandak.
The Police Commissioner said that on Sunday night, Kandak, his aide Basheer and six others came in a car to Mukkachhery Kadapara looking for Salman. Kandak and Salman had had a heated exchange of words. Salman and his supporters assaulted Kandak and his men. This forced Kandak to open six rounds of fire from his pistol. He said that one bullet hit Salman’s supporter, Irshad (18), in his right leg and he was admitted to a private hospital. Kandak and Basheer, who were injured in the assault, were admitted to another private hospital. Salman’s aides damaged the vehicle in which Kandak and his supporters arrived.
Quoting doctors as saying, Dr. Harsha said that the injury suffered by three persons in the incident were simple and there was no threat to their lives. About Kandak’s alleged association with groups said to be involved in extortion, Dr. Harsha said that the police were making a thorough background check of Kandak who has been found using the names of Umar Farooq and a few others in his dealings. Kandak and Basheer will be questioned following clearance by doctors, he added.
The Forensic Science Laboratory, he said, has recovered the bullet fired by Kandak.
It also recovered two live bullets fired from Kandak’s pistol from the spot. The police have sought from Road Transport Officer the details of the vehicle used by Kandak, Dr. Harsha said.
