Rowdies fight in heart of city

Rowdies fight in heart of city
The Times of India

Bangalore: Blood and gore and swish of swords brought central Bangalore to a standstill on Tuesday afternoon. Minutes after rowdy Daulat Khan (30) and his accomplices drove out of a court complex on Nrupathunga Road after being acquitted in a case, their rivals struck with swords and choppers at the busy Hudson Circle junction. The attackers didn’t spare even women.

Khan, his relative Munna, sister-in-law Rakkaiah and some others were near a petrol bunk when the rival gang, in two vehicles, waylaid them. Brandishing swords, the attackers — rowdy Diwan Ali’s henchmen — threw chilli powder at Khan and others in the vehicle. Khan and the others were chased and assaulted. They retaliated with weapons kept in the vehicle, but were overpowered by the rival gang. Onlookers watched in horror.

Policemen deployed at Bannappa Park to maintain order during a protest rushed to the place and averted further attacks. Traffic on many roads around Hudson Circle piled up for over an hour.

The assailants fled, leaving behind their vehicles and weapons. They have been identified as Akbar Ali, Nannu, Saithan Asif, Rafique, Zabi, Suban and Salman. It’s revenge on the streets Rowdy Gang Attacks On The Rise In Bangalore

Bangalore: Tuesday’s clash between rowdy gangs is not a stray incident. In the past few months, at least three persons have been killed in retaliation — rowdy Palani in Hosmat, BSP leader Velu in Frazer Town and underworld don Bekkinkannu Rajendra in High Grounds.

Rowdies Daulat from Yarabnagar in Banashankari and Diwan from BTM Layout are sworn enemies. They had locked horns over taking control of extortion rackets and businesses. For years, they have clashed and even murdered family members and henchmen.

A year ago, Akbar Ali, Diwan Ali’s brother, had foisted an attempt to murder case on Daulath Khan, Munna, Ali and three others with the Thalghatpura police, on the city’s outskirts. Khan and others were out on bail. Some of them appeared before a Fast Track Court on Tuesday, which acquitted them for lack of evidence.

Incidentally, their rival, Diwan Ali, arrested by Banashankari police for the murder of Adil Khan, Munna’s brother, nearly two years ago, had come to the same court for a hearing. Diwan’s accomplices informed him of their rival’s acquittal, which irked their leader. They plotted the attack on Daulath and others.

Munna’s father, Ismail Khan, was also murdered by Diwan’s gang and the case was settled after a compromise. When Adil took over the family business, he became popular. Sensing a threat, Diwan eliminated Adil. When Adil’s family rejected Diwan’s offer for a compromise, the latter foisted an attempt to murder case on Adil’s brother Munna.