Krishna oders CoD probe into MLA8217;s murder

UDUPI, FEBRUARY 21: Chief Minister S M Krishna has announced a Corps of Detectives CoD probe into the killing of Karwar MLA Vasanth Asno...

UDUPI, FEBRUARY 21: Chief Minister S M Krishna has announced a Corps of Detectives CoD probe into the killing of Karwar MLA Vasanth Asnotikar who was gunned down by motorcycle-borne assailants on Saturday night.

After visiting the Kasturba Medical College KMC Hospital at Manipal where Asnotikar was pronounced dead, Krishna told mediapersons that the killing was a dastardly and inhuman act8217;. He said the Government had ordered a CoD probe into the killing around midnight on Saturday as soon as they got news of the killing. CoD teams have been despatched to different parts of the state to nab all those behind the killing, he added. The Government has also decided to provide special security cover to all elected representatives from the coastal districts, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and North Kanara districts. It will also take steps to protect public property in these regions, he added.

Describing Asnotikar as a very popular MLA, Krishna said the Government would take special measures to prevent any untoward incidents at Karwar when the MLA8217;s body reached the town. Additional police force and officers have been despatched to Karwar. Regarding the suspected hand of the underworld in the killing of the MLA, Krishna said if it was so the Government would not shirk from its responsibility of protecting the coastal region from the activities of the underworld.

Asked why Asnotikar and his driver had not been provided protection despite threats to their life, Major Industries Minister R V Deshpande, who was also present at the briefing, said though the Government had provided protection to the MLA and posted a police officer, Asnotikar had directed the officer on Saturday night to stay at home before he left along with his friends.

Earlier, Krishna and cabinet colleagues Mallikarjuna Kharge, Kumar Bangrappa, Rani Satish, D K Shivakumar, R V Deshpande and Ramanath Rai, Director General of Police Srinivsulu, MP Margaret Alva, MLAs Vasant Salian, U R Sabapathy and Gopal Poojary, paid their last respects with state honours to the slain MLA at the KMC Hospital. Asnotikar8217;s body, which left KMC Hospital for Karwar at around 3.30 pm on Sunday, under police escort, was accompanied by R V Deshpande and Margaret Alva.