Mangalore : In a broad day light, an auto rickshaw driver, Ravindra (45), was stabbed by unknown miscreants who arrived in a Maruti Omni at Kaikamba Junction on Nov 13, Sunday. Currently, Ravindra is in the ICU of City Hospital.

Driver Ravindra is a member of the Bajrang Dal and resident of Gurupura who parks his vehicle at Kaikamba Junction. Rivalry was the motive behind the incident.

Mangalore Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and number of Bajrang Dal activists rushed to the spot.

After the assault, auto rickshaw drivers forced shops to shut their shutters and went on strike. They blocked NH13 at Kaikamba Junction by parking their vehicles in the middle of the road. When the police intervened, the situation came under control. The Bajpe police have registered a case.

Reportedly, four people arrived in a Maruti Omni, stabbed Ravindra, and fled from the scene. The police have tracked down the vehicle and even retrieved the weapon.

After having a talk with police commissioner, the auto drivers cleared the road. Singh also assured them that the culprits will be caught at the earliest possible.

According to the sources the culprits were following Ravindra from past 15 days.