Two youth stabbed to death during a cricket match

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Residents of Doddabelavangala village on the outskirts of city staged a protest over the murder of two youth during a cricket tournament, organised ahead of Maha Shivaratri, on Friday. Security personnel were posted at Doddabelavangala village to prevent any untoward incident in the wake of the killing of the local youths.

Bharath Kumar, 23, an engineering g raduate, and Prateek, 17, pursuing PU education, were stabbed to death by four men who had come to watch a cricket match at the Karnataka Public School ground. The tennis ball cricket tournament was organised by a B J P leader aspiring to contest the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections, sources said.

According to the police, spectators and participants objected to the accused trying to park their car inside the ground. A heated argument ensued, following which the enraged public attacked the group and damaged the car, forcing them to flee.

The accused confronted Bharath and Prateek, who had nothing to do with the fight and were waiting at a bus stop, wearing T-shirts given by organisers of the tournament. They attacked the duo and stabbed them repeatedly before fleeing, leaving them in a pool of blood. They were taken to a nearby hospital where they succumbed to the stabbing. The police have identified the accused, and have formed special teams to track them down. Further probe is underway.