Mangaluru : The Sullia police on Saturday arrested two persons on the charge of killing Jayarama Naik, who had gone for fishing, along with companions, at Chaipe in Thodikana village on the night of February 9. Mr. Naik was hit by a bullet on his chest from an unknown source and died.
Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police S.D. Sharanappa told presspersons here that the police were also inquiring Mr. Naik’s companions, Harish Naik, Harish Patrakodi, Dikshith and Venugopal, in this regard.
The incident occurred, when the five were moving in a forest area, along a stream to catch fish. As the companions claimed that Mr. Naik was hit by a bullet from an unknown source, police were also inquiring about persons having gone for hunting in the forest.
On credible information, the police nabbed C.K. Ramachandra Naik (41) and Vishwanath Naik (38), residents of Kudrepaya, Challangaya House, Kodagu district.
On further inquiry, the accused admitted having fired in the dark, thinking that a wild boar was moving, Mr. Sharanappa said. Chaipe in Sullia taluk and Kudrepaya in Kodagu are neighbouring villages along the border of Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts.
Police are verifying the claims of the accused, even as it was found that the single barrel gun used by them was licensed one in the name of Vishwanath Naik.
Mr. Sharanappa had personally visited the spot and directed the investigation by Sullia Circle Inspector of Police B.S. Sathish. Puttur Assistant Superintendent of Police S.B. Rishyanth and probationary ASP Lakshman Nimbargi guided the investigating team that comprised police sub inspectors H.V. Chandrashekhar and Sanjay Kallur; personnel Krishnaiah, Madhava, Radhakrishna, Devaraj, Balakrishna, Vijay Kumar, Puneeth Kumar, Yogitha, Yajna Narayana, Hanumanth and Home Guards Sachin and Giridhar. Mr. Sharanappa said suitable cash reward would be given to the investigating team.
Stating that hunting wild animals was an offence, Mr. Sharanappa said it could be curbed with the active cooperation of general public.
Those in the knowledge of people going for hunting should inform the police, and their names would be kept confidential, the SP said.