By Violet Pereira, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: Fear prevailed in Mullakaad near Kavoor following the murder of a dalit boy, Kumara aged 19 years at Shri Koteda Babbu Swami Dwara, here on June 15 at 10.30 p.m.. He was stabbed by a group of youth who arrived in two cars.

According to his friends and neighbours Kumara was working as a painter and had returned from Madekeri just 2 days back. On 15th night when he was returning home at around 10.30 p.m a eleven member gang in two cars blocked his way in front of Shri Koteda Babbu Swami Dwara, The occupants got down from the car while one of them stabbed Kumara in his stomach and chest. The other gang members also armed with knives threatened the people around. Two youngsters passing by were also assaulted by the group. Kumara was in a pool of blood when his family members came to the scene.  Kumara was rushed to A J  Hospital, but he succumbed to the injuries at around 5.30 a.m on Saturday June 16.

Those who committed the act have been identified as Akash Bhavan Sharan, Santhosh, Akshay and 8 others. They are absconding and the police are on their trail. A case has been registered in Kavoor police station.

It is learnt from sources that the assault on dalits is going on from a longtime in this locality and there is no safety for the life of dalits. The gang wanted to subdue the dalit youth by threatening them. Recalling a similar attack, Pradeep a dalit youth said that he was also attacked by the same group some time back and was admitted to the hospital with serious head injuries. Although the gang members were arrested by Kavoor police, but later were released on bail. 

Kumara was the last son of Appi and Late Sridhar. with very little source of income, and now this tragedy has put the family in distress. The hospital bill is around Rs 47,000 which is impossible for them to pay to release the body. The family is in distress and seeking for help to get their son's body from the hospital. In the meantime the family is also trying to get help from various organizations.