Karnataka

Udupi (Karnataka) May 16, 2008: A pall of gloom has descended on the houses of Bhoja Shetty and Suresh Shetty here on Friday. The two were killed by suspected naxalites here on Thursday night. Sitanadi is 55 km from Udupi.

Six bullets, a pair of footwear, a motorcycle hit by bullets, two bullet marks on the compound wall of Bhoja Shetty house, Maoist pamphlets, and blood stains right in front of the gate of the house could be seen. Bhoja Shettys house is five minutes walk from the Sitanadi Bridge on the Malpe-Molkalmuru State Highway. Suresh Shettys house is just behind Bhoja Shettys house.

The Tingale Reserve Forest is located behind the two houses. While Bhoja Shetty was working as a teacher at Someshwar Higher Primary School, Suresh Shetty was a farmer. The two were related to each other. Both the houses were visited by relatives and friends on Friday
Vasanth Shetty, Bhoja Shettys nephew, said there had been some problem between Bhoja Shetty and naxalites. Nearly a year ago, the naxalites had barged into his house and smashed his television set. The police had given security to Bhoja Shetty for eight months.

"Later, on Bhojas request, the security was withdrawn. After gunning him down, the (suspected) naxalites have taken away his revolver and mobile set," he said. Bhoja Shetty has a son and two daughters. All are married. His son is running a hotel at Tirthahalli in Shimoga district. His wife Sheelavati was inconsolable on Friday.

Balakrishna Shetty, Bhoja Shettys friend, said, "the gunning down took place around 8.15 p.m. on Thursday. Bhojas son Vijay took a gun and went near the gate through the rear road after hearing the gun shots. But by then the (suspected) naxalites had escaped."

Suresh Shettys son Prajwal works in Bangalore and daughter Pooja is doing her graduation.

Suresh Shettys relative Prashanth Shetty said, "while Bhoja had problems with naxalites, Suresh was innocent. There were no problems between Suresh and the naxalites."