Kin of Kerala truck driver killed in Shirur landslide accuse spreading of communal hate via social media posts

The 71 day long search operation for Arjun, a Malayali truck driver who went killed following the Shirur landslide in Uttara Kannada has taken a communal twist.

Family of the truck driver hailing from Kozhikode have filed a police complaint alleging that the lorry owner Manaf's social media posts on family's behalf have led to cyber attack against them with attempts of triggering communal hatred.

The Chevayur police in Kozhikode registered a case in this regard on Friday by invoking section 192 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for creating provocation that could lead to riot.

Chevayur station house officer said that the social media posts against Arjun's family were being verified with the help of cyber police.

Arjun's brother-in-law, wife, sister, brother and parents held a press conference and alleged that Manaf was trying to raise funds on the pretext of supporting Arjun's family.

They also alleged that Manaf started a YouTube channel after Arjun's death and was trying to raise funds by posting videos about Arjun.

However, Manaf has denied such allegations.

Arjun went missing in the landslide on July 16. His body and lorry were recovered from the Gangavalli river last week.

Manaf, who was at the spot throughout the search operations, was widely appreciated for being a good employer.

But his open remarks that he would take care of Arjun's son and hand over assistance from various persons to Arjun's family had not gone down well with the family.