Karkala : Three persons, said to be aides of underworld don Ravi Poojari were arrested by the cops here on May 13, Monday for demanding hafta from a stone crusher operator and threatening him.

The arrested are Nitin Kumar (22) of Karkala, Guruprasanna (22) from Salethur Bantwal, and Somanath (27) from Guddeangady. The police are on the lookout for another accused  Siddique (24) from Bantwal Balepuni, the prime accused. He is said to be a sharp shooter and an auto driver.

 It is said the foursome had met Joy, the crusher operator at his home at Mala village on May 11 and threatened him at gun point of dire consequences if he failed to offer them hafta of Rs 50 lakhs. They had come by a car.

Acting on a tip off, the police intercepted their vehicle a Pajegudde near Bajagoli following information that they were on  way to Hosmar.

A cash of Rs 5 lakhs, a foreign made car, six live bullets, mobile phones and the car have been seized.

One of the arrested  Guruprasanna runs a hotel in Sullia while Nitin works as a hotel manager I Bijapur/ They demanded  hafta reportedly as per the directive of Kali Yogish of Udupi who is an aide of Ravi Poojari.