Karuna Raj murder: Srikakulam police identify six-member gang; launch manhunt

Srikakulam police have launched a massive manhunt to nab the six-member gang involved in the murder of a ward volunteer. It may be recalled that D Karuna Raj, 35, was hacked to death by a six-member gang in broad daylight at Gunapalem near the DSP office in Srikakulam Town on Saturday. Two others escaped with injuries in the attack.

Investigation has revealed that unknown miscreants set the two-wheeler of Potnuru Rajulu on fire at Gunapalem a few days ago. Rajulu lodged a police complaint suspecting the hand of volunteer S Varaprasad alias Abbas and his friends of the same area. Abbas was allegedly involved in ganja smuggling and other illegal activities.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, M Mahesh said Abbas and his friends developed a grudge against Rajulu and hatched a plan to eliminate him. As per their plan, they bought axes and allegedly a firearm to eliminate Rajulu. Abbas along with his friends went to Gunapalem and attacked Rajulu while he was speaking with another ward volunteer Karuna Raj and D Hari on the road near the DSP office.

Rajulu escaped, but Karuna Raj died on the spot. Hari sustained injuries. Rajulu alleged that the gang tried to shoot him, but he escaped. The condition of Hari is said to be out of danger. "We have identified all the six members, who are involved in the murder. All the accused were below 30-year-old. We will nab the accused person very shortly as our teams have been on the job," said M Mahesh.

"We are also investigating that case to ascertain whether the accused was equipped with a firearm or not as there were different versions from the victims about the firearm," he added.