The situation in Honnavar, which witnessed violence on Wednesday night, turned more tense on Friday after a man, who had gone missing that day, was found dead under mysterious circumstances.
The man, identified as Paresh Mesta, was found dead in Shetty lake behind Shani temple. The police are yet to ascertain whether it is a case of murder or suicide. But as a precaution, they have deployed a huge posse of personnel for security in the town. Hundreds of people, led by BJP leaders, took out a funeral procession carrying the body. Participating in the procession, Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde accused the State government of being partisan.
Seeking the arrest of those responsible for Mr. Mesta’s death, he claimed that “20 Hindus have been killed in the State” so far.
Mr. Hegde demanded that the killings be investigated by Central agencies as he had no faith in the State bodies. Former Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, BJP leaders Shivanand Naik, J.D. Naik and others participated in the rally.
Later in the day, former Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje visited the residence of the deceased and consoled his family members. She demanded the “immediate arrest of the culprits”.
Inspector General of Police Hemanth Nimbalkar, Superintendent of Police Vinayak Patil, Deputy Commissioner S.S. Nakul and other senior officials were in Honnavar on Friday.
