Just days after the killing of rowdy Bethanagere Srinivas alias Seena in a police encounter, two alleged associates of Seena’s arch rival and cousin Bethanagere Shankara were shot dead on Sunday. Not by the police or the rival gang, but by a harassed farmer.

The two, who were shot dead, were part of a 25-member rowdy gang that went to Shivanna’s farmhouse in Vaddararhalli on Solur-Kunigal Road on Sunday night, asking for `50,000 extortion money. Vaddarahalli falls under the Kudur police limits in Ramanagar district. Shivanna, acting in self-defence, opened fire from his licensed double-barrel gun killing the two on the spot and injuring one, who is being treated at the Tumkur Government Hospital. The police suspect there could be four to five more rowdies injured in the incident as Shivanna has fired nearly 20 rounds from his gun.

Shivanna told the police that he had to use his gun as the gang had gone on the rampage, attacking the family with sharp weapons, molesting his daughter-in-law and damaging his house and jeep.

The police identified the dead as Siddaraju (28) of Nelamangala and Kumar (27) of Kamakshipalya, both rowdies who have cases against them in different police stations. Kumar was found dead at the entrance of Shivanna’s house, while Siddaraju inside a silver-coloured Maruti 800 car (KA-05-MF-3666), parked behind the house.

The police have recovered four mobile phones, the Maruti car, a Tata Sumo jeep and lethal weapons form the vehicles. Though the police reportedly arrested Vaddaradoddi Swamy, who allegedly passed on information about Shivanna and instigated the rowdies to extort the farmer, they refused to confirm it.

Siddaraju used to claim that he was collecting the money at the behest of criminal and murder accused Bethanagere Shankara, who has been lodged in the Hindalga jail in Belgaum. The injured man has been identified as Suresh from Chikkamudigere in Magadi. Suresh told the police that he was the driver of the Tata Sumo. He said that four people had booked his vehicle form Bengaluru to Tumkur and while on the way, they asked him to take a diversion towards Kunigal. When he protested, they threatened him. After the shootout, the rowdies dumped him inside the hospital compound and fled. Some people at the hospital shifted him to the ICU, the police said.

SHOOTER SPEAKS
Farmer Shivanna, who shot two rowdies dead, told the police that on Sunday afternoon, he and his son Subramani were heading to Chitradurga in their brand new Bolero jeep on some work. After sometime, Shivanna’s wife called him and said that some miscreants had barged into their house, tore her dress and took away her jewellery.

The accused had issued a threat, saying the entire family would be wiped out if Shivanna did not organise Rs 50,000. Shivanna and Subramani rushed back and realised that it was rowdy Siddaraju who had paid the visit. They found that Siddaraju was still in the village and had gone to the house of one Ramesh. They informed the police, who arrived at the village. When Siddaraju learnt that the police were searching for him, he fled. The police searched the village for a while, and left after they could not trace the rowdy. They asked Shivanna to come to the police station the next day and file a complaint.

Around 8.30 pm, Siddaraju came to Shivanna’s house again. This time with 25 other rowdies. The moment they landed, they went on the rampage, damaging the new jeep and windowpanes of the house. Siddaraju molested Shivanna’s daughter-in-law and tried to snatch her jewellery.

Shivanna rushed the family inside the house and bolted the main door. He warned the gang that he had a licensed gun and did not mind using it. But Siddaraju bragged, saying he had seen several guns in his criminal career and had killed 20 people, but was never scared.

When it seemed the situation would only go worse, Shivanna fired thrice in the air, trying to scare away the gang, but without any effect on the rowdies. He then aimed from the window next to the main door and took a shot. Kumar who was standing near the door dropped dead. Shivanna went to the back of the house and shot from the kitchen at the Maruti car. Siddaraju, who was trying to take out a weapon from the car, died sitting in the driver’s seat.

In the melee, Shivanna fired nearly 20 rounds, and the police suspect that at least four to five other rowdies might have been injured in the incident. A Tata Sumo SUV with bullet marks and traces of blood was found abandoned near Nelamangala. The police said it could be one of the vehicles used by the rowdies in the attack. Shivanna told the police that the rowdies came in seven to eight vehicles. Shivanna settled in Vaddarahalli five years ago after selling his property in Devanahalli. He owns a 10-acre plot.