Bantwal, Nov 28: A journalist was fatally attacked by a Muslim organization, which took exception to the fact that the scribe helped an economically backward Muslim family to get funds to build a house.
The incident took place at Madakatte in Kolnadu GP limits on Wednesday.
The victim is the Karavali Ale eveninger's Vittal reporter Varatheertha Prasad, popularly known as V T Prasad.
Two persons have been arrested by the Vittal police in this regard.
It is said that at about 11. 45 am, Prasad was in conversation with the head teacher of school near his house, when a group of men summoned him and started a conversation. They then led him to the residence of one Alima. The group was joined by more men, who attacked him fatally there.
There were about 40 persons who attacked Mr Prasad using wooden clubs and rods, due to which he has suffered severe injuries on the head, face, abdomen, hand and legs. He was rushed to a local hospital in an unconscious state by the cops in an ambulance belonging to'Friends Vittal' but was later shifted to Mangalore for advanced treatment since his condition was critical.
Instantly plunging into action, cops arrested Barebettu Siddique and Abdul Jabbar Kudthamuger.
The fault
It is said that Mr Prasad was attacked for getting a house done for a poor Muslim family which was living in a pathetic state.
Mr Prasad had written an article about the pathetic condition in which one Alima has been living in the village. He had also managed several other news dailies to write about the same so that funds could be generated from donors.
While the articles garnered good response with good amount of donations coming in, Mr Prasad took the responsibility of contributing some amount to complete the house.
Meanwhile, an organization had offered to supply wooden reaps for the house for construction but, since the wood was of poor quality it was not used in the house.
The organization which was raged by this, held it against Mr Prasad and resorted to attacking him, it is said.
Prasad's version
“While nobody came forward to lend a helping hand to Alima, who was living in pathetic state, I managed to gather funds to provide a house to the family. Some people from the same community who were raged by this asked me as to why I was being so kind on the family and attacked me,” said Mr Prasad.
The attack has been condemned by Bantwal Taluk Working Journalists' Association and President Maunesh Vishwakarma has demanded the arrest of the culprits at the earliest.
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