Somwarpet (Kodagu): In a gruesome incident, a 47-year-old jeep driver was shot dead in front of his house by unidentified miscreants at Iggodlu village in the taluk, early this morning. The victim has been identified as Kalachanda Ranjan Poovaiah, a native of Mukkodlu.

Ranjan who used to ferry visitors to Mandalapatti tourist spot in his jeep, had settled down along with his family at Iggodlu village near Madapura in the taluk a few years ago for the sake of his children’s education. As usual, Ranjan came out of his house at about 5 am, when miscreants fired at him, killing him on the spot.

Business rivalry among local tourist jeep operators is suspected to be the cause of the murder.

Somwarpet Police are investigating.