Rowdy-sheeter hacked to death on Thokkottu flyover in mangaluru

Mangaluru : In a shocking incident, a rowdy-sheeter was brutally murdered in the early hours of Friday on the Tokkottu flyover in Mangaluru outskirts. The deceased has been identified as Arif alias Tablet Arif (46), a resident of Mullugudde near Talapady. Police said the exact motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained.

According to preliminary investigation, Arif, who had a rowdy-sheeter history under the Mangaluru South Police Station limits, was travelling on his motorcycle around 4 am when the attack took place. A car allegedly rammed into his bike from behind, causing him to fall onto the road.

Taking advantage of the situation, a group of assailants who were reportedly waiting at the spot launched a deadly assault. Armed with lethal weapons, they attacked Arif, primarily targeting his head, leading to his instant death. After committing the crime, the attackers fled the scene in the same car, police said.

Senior police officials, along with personnel from Ullal Police Station, rushed to the spot and conducted a detailed inspection. A case has been registered, and multiple teams have been formed to track down the accused.

The brutal nature of the attack has created panic in the locality, raising concerns over law and order in the region. Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas and collecting forensic evidence to identify the culprits.

Investigators revealed that Arif had a criminal background, with several cases registered against him in the past. Notably, he had survived an earlier murder attempt in 2022 near the Uchila bridge, which has now led police to suspect a possible gang rivalry behind the latest killing.

While gang war is being considered as one of the primary angles, officials have not ruled out other motives, including personal enmity. “We are probing all possible angles. The exact reason will be known only after a thorough investigation,” a senior officer said.

The incident underscores the continuing threat of organised crime elements in coastal Karnataka. Authorities have assured that the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.