Mangaluru: In a major breakthrough in the Harish Poojary murder case, police on Thursday, November 19, morning, arrested two youth at Mani.

The arrested are identified as Bhuvith Shetty (25) and Achyuta (28), both hailing from Bantwal. Police sources claim that both are rightwing activists and the murder of Harish was a case of mistaken identity.

Bhuvith is the same person who had earlier been arrested for justifying the murder of Prof M M Kalburgi and issuing death threat to Prof K S Bhagwan on Twitter. He is already booked in three cases out of which two are under IPC Section 506 and the another under Section 307 while two cases stand registered against Achyuta. He too is booked under IPC Section 307 and Section 506, IGP Paul said.

Addressing a press meet at SP office here on Thursday, IGP Amrit Paul said that three special teams were formed to probe into the case. The intention of the miscreants was to kill youth from another community. As Harish accompanied Sammiullah on the fateful day, the culprits mistook Harish also to be a youth from Samiuallah’s community and hence killed him. Samiullah, who sustained critical injuries, is recovering.

According to the police, a gang of five is involved in the murder. “The remaining three will be arrested soon,” the IGP assured.

Referring to the incident that took place earlier in the evening on November 2, IGP Paul said that a group of around 50 – 75 SDPI activists staged protest in BC Road against violence in Madikeri for celebrating Tipu Jayanti. The SDPI had not taken permission from the police for the protest and also to use mic. When SDPI leader Haneef Khan Kodaje made a provocative speech, a few miscreants began pelting stones. The SDPI also pelted stones in retaliation. The police then resorted to lathi charge to bring the situation under control. A case was then filed against Haneef Khan Kodaje for making an inflammatory speech and also against both groups.

Later at around 7.30 pm, two friends Harish and Samiullah, who had been to play cricket stopped at a shop near the Old Gate to have tender coconut. A gang of five arrived at the spot and stabbed Harish.