Shiv Sena leader's murder: Ichalkaranji bandh peaceful

The Ichalkaranji bandh, called by Shiv Sena today to condemn yesterday's murder of the party unit's deputy chief Santosh Babar, 32, was peaceful, Gaonbhag police said.
   
Santosh Babar was allegedly killed by four persons at Deccan Mill Chowk in Ichalkaranji. Babar was returning from Kolhapur after attending party workers meeting. When Babar reached the Chowk on his motorcycle, the four assailants attacked him with swords. Police said that at 6 pm, the four persons stopped Babar at the Chowk and took out swords.
   
Babar tried to escape but they stabbed on his head, back and shoulder. Santosh fell on the road in a pool of blood and he died on the spot. Attackers fled away after incident.
       
Police said that motive behind the murder is a land dispute, some past clashes between two groups and a quarrel with regard to poster of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. Police said the names of suspicious attackers are: Sudarshan Babar, Sanjay Deshmane, Raju Patil and Pravin Raval.

Sudarshan Babar and Raju Patil are accused in another murder  case and they are out on bail. Meanwhile, after the murder, tension prevailed in Ganesh Nagar area and some people attacked the house of accused Sanjay Deshmane. Police were deployed in that area to control the situation.

Police are investigating further.