Bantwal: Asif (24) from Bayikatte in Paivalike in Kerala and Riaz (24) had arrived in Kanyana to attend a marriage.
While they were returning in their bike on Sunday, they were intercepted in front of the Government First-grade College by a group of five persons who arrived in an Alto car from Muguli direction.
The riders fell with the bike in a ditch by the side of the road. As they lay there, the gang assaulted them with long swords and rods. Asif bore the brunt of the attack and is said to have died on the spot.
Riaz tried to escape. He was chased over a distance of a hundred metres. He is severely injured and has been hospitalized. Their companion Hakeem (20) has also been severely injured. Aziz (27) and Latif (18) who were in a moped escaped from the attack without harm.
Some old rivalry is said to be behind the attack. The gangs are said to be of ‘Baliga’ Aziz and ‘Nappate’ Rafiq, which are involved in several criminal activities in Kerala. Asif and Riaz had reportedly identified themselves with the Aziz gang. The revenge act is thought to be the handiwork of the Rafiq gang.
Police officials from DK district and Manjeshwar DySP and others visited the spot and held investigations.
