Mangaluru: A whatsapp status triggered clash between two groups, which resulted into shootout at Mukkacheri, Kadapara in Ullal police station jurisdiction on midnight of Sunday, September 23.

The injured have been identified as Irshad (20), son of K K Iqbal, resident of Hileriya Nagar, Mukkacheri, Ullal and Suhail Kandak alias Umar Farooq, son of Abdul Rahman of Attavar. Both are now undergoing treatment at a private hospitals in the city.

Addressing a news conference, Commissioner of Police Dr P S Harsha said that clash erupted between the two groups hailing from the same community. While one group belonged to Suhail Khundak of Attavara, the second group comprised of Salman, Irshad and others belonging to Mukkacheri Kadapara of Ullal. A licensed firearm belonging to Suhail Khandak was used during the clash, which was recovered by the police later.

Ullal police has registered two separate cases against both groups and arrested 13 persons in this regard. The arrested have been identified as  Suhail Kandak, Irshad, Basheer Moahmmed Arshad Nizamuddin, Toufiq Sheikh, Fahad,  Afwan,  Mohamad, Mohamad Wasim, Abdul Rahmatulla, Muzammil, Raifan and Mohammed Siyab.

The Commissioner of Police said that Irshad, who is identified with the team of Suhail Kandak is an active leader of a political party. He had put up a photograph of Suhail Kandak in his whatsapp status. As Salman too is an active worker of the same party, he questioned the move of Irshad for giving mileage only to Suhail Kandak, which is said to be the actual reason for the clash.

On Sunday night at around 11.45 pm, Suhail Kandak and his supporters had been to Mukkacheri, Kadapara and asked for Salman with friends. Soon, an altercation had broken out and during the argument, Suhail opened fire on Irshad. During the incident, Irshad suffered injury on his right leg and was shifted to the hospital immediately. Enraged supporters of Salman attacked Suhail and his supporters and also damaged a car, in which Suhail’s supporters had come.

The police is ascertaining the criminal credentials of the accused. “The accused would be produced before the Court.

Harsha congratulated the police team for their swift action and handed over appreciation letter to the whole team on the same occasion.

DCPs Lakshmi Ganesh ( Crime and Traffic), Arunangshu Giri (Law and Order) were present.