A child of migrant workers injured by pellets during a skirmish between a farmer and laborers in Mudigere

A four-year-old boy, son of a migrant laborer, was injured by pellets when a plantation owner allegedly opened fire in a scuffle with laborers at Balehalli village in Mudigere taluk on Friday (July 25, 2026).

The child was injured when the owner allegedly opened fire to threaten workers from Assam during a heated dispute over wages. He was initially taken to a government hospital in Mudigere and later shifted to Mangaluru for further treatment. The child is out of danger, the pellets have been removed, according to the police.

A group of laborers from Assam were employed in a plantation belonging to Jagadish. They demanded a wage of ₹400 per day. An argument broke out after Jagadish allegedly said that he would pay ₹350 per day and pay the remaining charges later. Jagadish and his brother Prabhakar Gowda allegedly quarreled with the workers. As the argument escalated, Prabhakar Gowda allegedly pulled out a country weapon and opened fire.

A child, son of Siddique, one of the workers, was nearby when the incident took place and sustained pellet injuries.

Mudiger police reached the spot and registered a case against Jagadish and Prabhakar Gowda. Both are on the run. The accused had a licensed weapon, police said.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 10:48 IST