A municipal councilor of Toranagallu town in Ballari district was brutally attacked with a machete by a resident of his ward on Sunday afternoon. The councilor, Nagaraj Naik, suffered serious injuries on his head, back and hands and was rushed to a hospital in Ballari for treatment.
The assailant, Shivakumar, was arrested by the police and booked for attempt to murder. According to the police, the attack was the result of a long-standing dispute between the two over a drain issue in their ward. The two had clashed last year after the municipal election and had filed complaints against each other.
The incident took place around 2 p.m. when Nagaraj Naik was returning home after attending a function. Shivakumar, who was waiting for him near a temple, attacked him with a machete from behind and fled the spot. Some locals who witnessed the attack informed the police and took Nagaraj Naik to the hospital.
The police reached the spot and launched a hunt for Shivakumar, who was nabbed within an hour. The police also recovered the weapon used in the attack. A case has been registered under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and further investigation is on.
Nagaraj Naik, who belongs to the BJP, is a first-time councilor of ward no. 9 of Toranagallu town panchayat. Shivakumar, who is a Congress supporter, had contested against him in the last election and lost by a narrow margin. The two had been at loggerheads over various issues in their ward, especially the drainage problem.
The attack has shocked the residents of Toranagallu, who have demanded strict action against the culprit and better security for the elected representatives. The BJP leaders have condemned the attack and accused the Congress of resorting to violence to settle political scores. The Congress leaders have denied any involvement in the attack and expressed sympathy for the victim.