Mangalore crime graph rises, cops for early shutdown

Mangalore: A crime wave is driving fear into a communally sensitive Mangalore. Five persons, including a student were stabbed and assaulted in the city within just three days. The identity of the attackers is still unknown.

Mangalore Police on Friday ordered closure of all shops and commercial establishments in the district at 2000 hrs IST from Saturday till the end of the festival season.

Talking to newspersons, IGP(Western Range) and Deputy Commissioner, Gopal B Hosur said in view of ensuing festivals Ganesh Chathurthi and Ramzan, the administration had taken the decision to maintain law and order in the district.

Mr Hosur said necessary force would deployed at sensitive areas in Mangalore, Puttur and Ullal, among other places. If required, additional force would be called from outside the district, he added.

He said senior police officers would conduct night rounds to prevent any untoward incidents. Decision to close down the shops by 2000 hrs had been taken following increased number of crimes occurred in various parts of the district during night time, he added.

Mr Hosur said one Shabbir from Mysore had been arrested and seized a pistol and two bullets from him in connection with the murder of Subba Rao, a city-based builder in his office here about two years ago.

Efforts were on to trace the culprits and to unearth more information from Shabbir, he added.

The Deputy Commissioner of Mangalore, V Ponnuraj, has asked the state for additional forces, appealing to leaders from both communities to help maintain peace and order.

"We will take extreme measures to avert any further incidents by untoward elements. We have requested the state for additional forces. We request leaders from both communities to attend a peace meeting that we have called," he said.

FEAR IN THE CITY

• 22-year-old Vinay Kumar was stabbed near A B Shetty circle on Wednesday night
• In the same area, Sunil, a 32-year-old was also stabbed by unknown attackers
• On Wednesday, Zuneid, an 18-year-old student was assualted near Amritha nagar Road
• On Tuesday, Dombayya Poojary was assualted at the Nooyi bus stand in Addur village
• And on Monday, Vikas Shetty a resident of Panja village was assualted at Pakshikere