Tension and protests gripped several areas of Hubballi on Sunday, following the tragic murder of a 30-year-old Hindu-Dalit woman in Yellapur, Uttara Kannada. The situation remained volatile at KMC RI Hospital, Indi Pump, and other locations as community organizations demanded justice for the victim, Ranjita Bansode.
Murder Sparks Immediate Outrage and Hospital Dharna
The incident began when Ranjita Bansode was stabbed by Rafiq Imamsab in Kalammanagar, Yellapur. She succumbed to her injuries on Saturday night while being transported to KMC RI Hospital in Hubballi. Enraged by the killing, members of various Hindu organizations staged a dharna at the hospital premises late Saturday.
The protesters issued a stern warning, declaring they would not allow the victim's body to be taken back to her hometown of Yellapur until immediate action was taken against the accused. Police Commissioner N Shashikumar rushed to the scene to engage with the agitators and attempt to pacify the volatile situation.
Protest Withdrawn After Accused Found Dead
The standoff took a dramatic turn on Sunday when reports confirmed that the primary accused, Rafiq Imamsab, had died by suicide in Yellapur. Following this development, the ongoing dharna at the hospital was called off. The postmortem examination of Ranjita Bansode was subsequently completed, and her remains were handed over to her grieving family members.
Procession and Demands for Justice and Financial Aid
Condemning the brutal murder, a coalition of Hindu and Dalit organizations staged another demonstration at the hospital. They then took the victim's body in a solemn procession to Indi Pump on Karwar Road. There, they submitted a formal memorandum to Police Commissioner Shashikumar, demanding swift justice for Bansode's family.
Dalit leaders, including Sridhar Kandagal, Mahendra Koutal, and Maruti Doddamani, highlighted the family's precarious financial situation. They appealed to the authorities to provide the bereaved family with immediate financial assistance to help them cope with the tragedy.
Massive Police Deployment to Maintain Order
Anticipating potential unrest, the police mounted an elaborate security operation along the procession route. Commissioner Shashikumar revealed that over 1,000 police personnel and officials were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. He cited past experiences of violence during similar protests as the reason for the extensive precautions. The security measures were successful in maintaining law and order during the emotionally charged events.
