In a shocking incident near Edapadavu, a group of four Islamist youths riding on a scooter allegedly attacked a 22-year-old Hindu man with a sword on Monday evening before fleeing the scene. Local residents managed to apprehend one of the assailants and hand him over to the police, while another Islamist was later arrested.
According to Udayavani reports, the victim has been identified as Akhilesh (22), a resident of Poopadi Kallu, Arekodi, in Edapadavu. The accused Islamists have been named as Sahil Akram of Venoor, Nazir, Shinaan, and Irshad.
Police have arrested Shinaan and Irshad, and a search is underway for the remaining two attackers. The assault took place between 4:00 pm and 4:15 pm near the Hanuman Temple at Edapadavu.
Akhilesh suffered a deep cut on his right forearm after being struck with a sword. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and is reported to be out of danger. Sources said that Akhilesh works in the catering sector and is also associated with a local Hindu organization.
The four accused were reportedly travelling on a single scooter from Moodbidri. After spotting Akhilesh, who was also on a scooter, they allegedly followed him, recorded a video, and one of them attacked him with a sword. During the chaos, one of the attackers fell off the scooter, enabling locals to catch him and hand him over to the police. He too is believed to have sustained injuries.
Senior officials and Bajpe police visited the location for inspection. A knife and a sword were recovered from a bag at the site and seized as evidence.
This incident reminds one of the recent murder of Hindu activist Suhas Shetty on May 1, 2025, in Bajpe’s Kinnikambla, one of the most disturbing examples of how quickly targeted violence can destabilize coastal Karnataka. It also reflects how radical Islamist elements are spreading their influence and creating an atmosphere of fear and violence across the coastal region.
Once regarded as a peaceful and culturally vibrant hub, Mangaluru is now witnessing a worrying rise in radicalized Islamist elements, whose growing boldness has become a matter of grave concern for residents. Several groups have accused the Congress-led state government of creating an environment where extremist networks feel emboldened, alleging that lax enforcement and political appeasement have allowed such groups to roam freely.
