New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday condemned the killing of Suhas Shetty, who was associated with Bajrang Dal and the main accused in the Mohammed Fazil murder case of 2022, and said that he was assassinated by the communal force.

Pralhad Joshi also accused Congress-led Karnataka government of 'indirectly supporting' communal people for vote bank.

'Suhas Shetty was assassinated by the communal forces. It is highly condemnable. These types of instigation are used to assassinate or engage in more criminal activity - these are all things happening in Karnataka during the Congress period only. That means they indirectly support such communal people for the vote bank,' Pralhad Joshi said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu said that the police have nabbed eight people in connection with the Suhas Shetty murder case, who was associated with Bajrang Dal and the main accused in the Mohammed Fazil murder case of 2022.

The Karnataka Minister said the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force to ensure action against those who indulge in communal activities.'Anti-communal forces are being established here because communal politics are being misused by many people,' said Gundu Rao.

Speaking to ANI, Gundu Rao said, 'Police have been able to nab the culprits within a day. 8 people have been arrested. Those who were directly involved, it was a pre-planned killing, all the details will be out soon.'

'Anti-communal forces are being established here because communal politics are being misused by many people. Anti-social elements, members of political parties, rowdy sheeters, members of organisations, they are all using this for their personal, private, and political gain. They are not bothered about the reputation of the district and how the people are going to suffer,' said Gundu Rao.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara informed that eight people have been arrested in connection with the Suhas Shetty murder case.

He said the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force to ensure action against those who indulge in communal activities.

Addressing the media, Parameshwara said that the police have managed to deter the escalation of communal tension in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which he suggested are known for drawing the nation's attention due to incidents rooted in communal tensions.

'Around eight people involved in the murder of Suhas Shetty have been arrested. For many years, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have drawn the attention of the state and the nation due to incidents rooted in communal tensions. This time, too, after the incident, it was feared that communal tensions would resurface, but the police did not allow that to happen,' Parameshwara told reporters in a press conference.

Suhas Shetty, the main accused in the Fazil murder case, was killed by a group of unidentified men in Mangaluru around 8:30 pm on Thursday, as per the Mangaluru Police Commissioner. (ANI)