Mangaluru : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will carry out a day-long dharna at the Mahatma Gandhi statue near Town Hall on October 20, if the police failed to arrest persons allegedly involved in the murder of 29-year-old Bajrang Dal activist Prashant Poojary by October 19.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, said that it was unfortunate that the police had so far not arrested any person in connection with the murder of Mr. Poojary in Moodbidri on October 9.

He said the police have failed to arrest persons allegedly involved in attacks on three persons in Moodbidri in the last 15 days.

Mr. Kateel linked these attacks to inflammatory speeches by some persons made in Moodbidri in September.

He said that the police have so far not questioned any of the speakers involved. The police should not only arrest persons involved in the murder and assaults but also those who are backing the offenders, he stressed.

When pointed out that inflammatory speeches have led to attacks by Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists in the past, Mr. Kateel said the police had taken action at the time.

“But here, even after a week, the police have failed to make a breakthrough.” He claimed that 55-year-old Vaman Poojary, who committed suicide in Moodbidri, was being harassed by threatening calls as he was witness to the murder.

The accused in the murder were roaming freely, he added.

Mr. Kateel said that the former Chief Minister and BJP national vice-president B.S. Yeddyurappa would be participating in the day-long dharna.

BJP State president Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter, K.S. Eshwarappa and former Home Minister R. Ashok will be taking part in the dharna.