As outrage grew over the attackon partying girls and boys at a homestay in Mangalore byrightwing activists, the Karnataka government today termed itas an "inhuman act" and said the accused have been bookedunder stringent IPC provisions including attempt to rape.
Twelve persons have been arrested and cases for offencesincluding dacoity, attempt to rape, unlawful assembly,assault, threat to life and wrongful restraint slapped againstthem, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar told the Assembly whichwas rocked by the July 28 moral policing act.
"It's an inhuman act. They should be punished. Noquestion of protecting anybody", Shettar said as angryopposition Congress and JDS members raised the issue,targeting the BJP Government blaming its 'soft attitude' forsuch incidents.
Making a statement on the issue, Shettar said 13students, including five girls, were at the homestay tocelebrate the birthday of one of them when they were attackedby Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists along with 40-50 peoplearound 6.30 pm on Saturday.
They indulged in physical assault and misbehaviour,snatched gold chain and took away Rs 10,000 from the inmatesand used a sharp weapon, he said.
"The arrested persons have been questioned and they haverevealed a few more names. Special squads have been formed (tonab them). The case is under further investigation," he said.
Demanding a ban on organisations like Bajrang Dal, Sriram Sene and Hindu Jagarana Vedike, invoking sections of GoondaAct and attempt to murder against the accused, the Oppositionstaged a walk-out, saying the government should actually bedoing more.
Recalling the infamous pub attack in Mangalore in 2009,attacks on churches in coastal region and some acts of moralpolicing, Siddaramaiah said had the government taken sternaction and punished the guilty, the latest incident would nothave happened.
The issue also rocked the legislative council where noisyscenes were witnessed when Opposition Congress and JDS raisedthe matter.
A division bench of the Karnataka High court headed byChief Justice Vikramajit Sen expressed displeasure over theattack on students.
"Nobody comes to court with issues concerning attack onwomen. You call Mangalore the cultural capital of the state.
But attacks happen on women there," the bench observed whilehearing a PIL seeking direction to Kendra Sahitya Academy toconsider Konkani language for awards.
Meanwhile, colleges in Mangalore remained closed today inresponse to a bandh called by students to protest theincident.
Police said no untoward incident had been reported in thecity where prohibitory orders for three days is in force sinceyesterday as a precautionary measure.
