A group of minor Muslims beat a minor Hindu boy to death in the Urgadur area of Karnataka’s Shivamogga district on Monday (23rd February). The 16-year-old victim named Sanket was killed while trying to save his friend Girish from the minor Muslims who were attacking him.
The victim, studying in 10th class, was reportedly returning after attending special classes at a government high school near the 14th cross on the day of the incident. According to police, the Muslim boys, some of whom were high-school dropouts, confronted and attacked Girish, around 8 pm, in an open ground behind the school premises.
According to Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil, Sanket, a resident of Sulebailu, was attacked while trying to resolve a fight between the group of boys. However, he was fatally hit in the chest by one of the minor Muslim boys. He sustained injuries in his face and stomach and collapsed on the ground. Girish informed Sanket’s family and locals about the incident, after which he was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
“Some friends who were known to him, they had earlier studied in the same school, were involved. They are also minors. They hit him with their hands. Immediately after being struck, he collapsed. After he fell, by the time he was taken to the hospital, we came to know that he had died,” SP Nikhil said. The incident triggered communal tensions in the areas, leading to the deployment of police to maintain peace.
SP Nikhil met the family of the victim and assured them of strict action against the culprits. He informed them that two of the minors have been taken into custody. A case has been registered at Tunga Nagar Police Station in connection with the incident.
The victim’s family threatens to commit suicide if the culprits not punished
The bereaved family of the victim said that they would commit suicide if the killers of Sanket are not punished. On Tuesday (24th February), Sanket’s elder sister, Supriya, said that Sanket was attacked by six boys. She also highlighted the growing narcotics addiction among youngsters in the region as a reason for such incidents. “After the special class, six boys attacked him. The ganja menace is rampant in the region. They behave indecently. If all six accused are not punished, my whole family will commit suicide,” Supriya said.
Recalling the time when his son last left his house, Sanket’s mother said that he said goodbye twice to her and his grandmother. “My child told me he had exams and left for the special class. He said goodbye twice to me and his grandmother. Later, I was asked to come to the hospital, where doctors told me he was no more. I tried to speak to my son, but he was still. Now, what should I tell his father? I have lost my son,” she said.
She said that he was a good child who was sincere about his studies. Recently, he scored well in exams. “He never did anything to hurt anyone. He was such a good child and left me. He won awards and scored good marks. After his good results in tests recently, I gave him Rs 100 and asked him to celebrate. He used to wake up at 5 am and study. On Monday, too, he woke up at 5 am and studied till 7 am. After stepping out of our house, he never returned. What should I say? I don’t know what has happened. How can we forget our son?” she lamented.
