The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested six people in connection with the murder of a Bajrang Dal youth leader in Shivamogga, Karnataka. Police claim that there are various criminal cases against the six local youths. Three of the detainees were directly involved in the murder of Bajrang youth leader Harsh (25).
A curfew was imposed in different areas of Shivamogar due to repeated group clashes, but after this incident on Sunday night, it has been extended. According to the police, the curfew has been extended till Friday to prevent unrest.
Karnataka Police ADG C Pratap Reddy said on Tuesday, “The suspects in the murder are Mohammad Kasif, Syed Nadeem, Afsiullah Khan, Rehan Sharif, Abdul Afnan and Nihan.” District Superintendent of Police Laxman Prasad said a total of 12 people were initially detained on suspicion of involvement in the murder.
The murder has sparked renewed tensions in Karnataka amid controversy over Muslim students wearing hijabs in educational institutions. Although Karnataka claims that the hijab controversy has nothing to do with Harsh’s murder. BL Santosh, the BJP’s all-India general secretary (organization) and leader of Karnataka, however, complained that “radical jihadists have killed Harsh.”
