Mangaluru: Abdul Majid, proprietor of mobile phone currency franchisee Kashis Enterprises where Deepak Rao worked, termed the murder victim as a “good boy” who was like a member of his family.

“He had been working for me for seven years, distributing mobile phone currency, and his murder came as a rude shock not only to me, but also my family,” Mr. Majid, who runs his shop at Katipalla, He said Rao conversed with him and other Muslim merchants in Beary language. He had told Mr. Majid about the bunting skirmish, but later said it had been settled.

Mr. Majid aired his anguish over such brutal killings, particularly of innocent persons, and said such incidents should stop. At a time when mobile currency business is becoming less lucrative, Rao had been persuading him to undertake some other business, saying he would be there, Mr. Majid said.

Though he wanted to attend the funeral, some of his friends advised against it, saying one would not know how the situation would turn out, Mr. Majid added.