Haveri: In a heart-wrenching incident, Prajavani, a leading Kannada daily reporter from Haveri, MC Manjunath died in an accident in Kodaganur village under the Mayakonda police limits after his bike was hit by a speeding tractor. The body was lying in the pool of blood for over one hour as the police didn’t arrive at the spot.

The incident happened on Wednesday night. A native of Shivamogga, Manjunath was on his way to his sister’s house in Holalkere. The final rites of the young journalist will be held on Thursday at Shivamogga. The episode of the police transporting his body in a goods auto laden with dry grass, for postmortem received widespread condemnation.  Journalists have demanded the state government and police to explain the same.

The state information department is yet to issue a clarification over the incident. Manjunath, a rank student in journalism from Kuvempu University was one of the best performing journalists, said his colleagues. He was transferred to Haveri only five-months -ago.

CM announces compensation

Close on the heels of the incident, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased.