Overview
- Ganesh Gowda, 38, a Congress worker and gram panchayat member, was killed during a confrontation in Sakharayapatna, Kadur taluk, on Friday night.
- Police said the violence followed an earlier scuffle near a bar and escalated around 9:30 pm near Kalmadeshwara Math Road over a banner dispute.
- Officers reported multiple head injuries on both sides, with the wounded taken to Chikkamagaluru District Hospital, and two participants kept under guard.
- Superintendent of Police Vikram Amathe said four accused have been arrested, several police teams are pursuing others, and a case is registered at Sakharayapatna station.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior ministers, including DK Shivakumar, G Parameshwara and K J George, condemned the killing and pledged strict action, while unconfirmed reports alleging partisan links are under police verification.