Belthangady: The Dakshina Kannada district bandh called by the Sangh Parivar in protest against the murder of rowdy sheeter Suhas Shetty received a mixed response in Belthangady taluk on Saturday. While most shops and commercial establishments remained shut, private vehicles continued to ply on the roads as usual.

The bandh supporters staged demonstrations at various locations in the taluk, expressing their anger by setting tires ablaze on the roads. Incidents of tire burning were reported from areas including Kakkinj, Mundaje, and Gerukatte.

A private bus near Guruvayankare Jainpet was targeted with stones. The front windshield of the vehicle was completely shattered in the attack. No injuries were reported.

Commercial activity came to a halt in major towns and villages such as Ujire, Belthangady, Guruvayankare, Madanthyaru, Aladangady, Kokkad, and Dharmasthala, with shops and business outlets closed. A few hotels had opened briefly in the morning hours but later downed their shutters in support of the bandh.

Transport services witnessed partial disruption. While KSRTC buses operated on local routes within the taluk and from Dharmasthala to other districts, services to Mangaluru were halted for the day. Private vehicles, however, moved around freely without major hindrance.

The police had deployed personnel in sensitive areas of the taluk to maintain law and order and ensure the bandh did not escalate into violence.

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Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.

Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.

The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.

However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.

Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.

Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.

SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.