Media's role in homestay attack being looked at: ADGP

July 29, 2012

agdp_1

Mangalore, July 29: The role of media in the Mangalore homestay party attack is being looked into with all seriousness, said Bipin Gopalkrishna, ADGP (Law and Order).

Addressing media persons on Sunday at a press meet at the Police Commissioner's office in Mangalore after inspecting the homestay site where the assault on young boys and girls took place at Padil, Mr. Gopalkrishna said that a section of the police are also looking into the role played by a section of the media in instigating the attacks.

Stating that reporters of two Kannada TV news channels are under the scanner, Mr. Gopalkrishna said that mediapersons should have informed the police if they knew about the scheduled assault in advance. However, the ADGP said that the TV channels will also be given a chance to explain their stance.

He also said that FIRs have been filed against two media persons belonging to two different channels.

The top cop said that eight persons by name Rajesh, Taranath (s/o Gangadhar), Subhash Padil, Ganesh, Venugopal, Sandeep Shetty, Sharath and Tharanath (s/o Babu) have been arrested after last evening's incident. The arrested belong to Hindu Jagarana Vedike, he said. “When we questioned Subhash Padil, he admitted that he is a Hindu Jagarana Vedike leader but maintained that he and his group had gone there only to protest but eventually some of his boys got over enthusiastic”, Mr. Gopalakrishna said.

The police department is serious about the incident, he said, stating that cases of assault, outraging modesty of a girl, dacoity, being part of unlawful assembly, prevention of destruction of property act have been booked against the arrested. The assaulters even tried to steal Rs.10,000 and snatch a girl's gold chain, he said. About 15-20 persons were party to the assault and the other 6-7 persons will also be arrested soon, the ADGP said.

The complaint has been filed by Vijay Kumar, the event manager who organized the party. The status of the homestay's legality is also being looked at, he said. However, the homestay is said to have been functioning without license.

The ADGP denied that Mangalore had become a frequent victim of moral policing assaults. “The earlier incident of pub attack took place in 2009 and this one has taken place now in 2012. I don't think there is a frequent occurrence or a pattern of any sort here”, he said.

The top cop also denied that police had not done their duty to the best of their ability. “As soon as we got the message we have approached the spot. Yes due to travel time, by the time we got there the assault had taken place but our main priority was to protect the students”, he said. All students who were at the receiving end of the assault were locals, he said.

All precautionary measures to maintain law and order in the city have been taken. About 200 additional police personnel from other parts of the state have been deployed in the city. Prohibitory orders will be in force for three days, the ADGP said.

Seemanth Kumar Singh, Mangalore Police Commissioner, said that the police department is also verifying whether assaulters of 2009 pub attack had taken part in the homestay attack too.

Related:

Embarrassed by 'Hindutva molestation' BJP govt. rushes top cop to Mangalore

'Custodians of Hindu culture' barge into party; molest girls

Did TV channel crew enjoy molestation of helpless girls by Hindutva activists?

Hindutva activists taken into custody for violating Section 144

agdp_2

agdp_3

agdp_4

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
coastaldigest.com news network
January 19,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 19: Two college students have been arrested for allegedly spiking their female friend's drink and sexually assaulting her in Bengaluru.

The 19-year-old victim filed a complaint against the two accused, following which they were nabbed. In her complaint, the victim said that the two friends persuaded her to accompany them in a party where one of them allegedly spiked her drink.

Feeling unwell, she wanted to return to her PG, but the two managed to convince her to stay back at their place, where they allegedly sexually assaulted her.

"After some time one of my friends gave me something to drink and I vomited. I felt uneasy and decided to return to my PG. However, he forced me to go to his house stating that I was not in a condition to go to my PG. He convinced me saying that I can go home in the morning. I did not suspect any foul-play as he was a friend," the victim was quoted as saying by the publication.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
June 7,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 7: Suspense over JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda contesting the Rajya Sabha polls from Karnataka with Congress' support continues as KPCC president D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the party has fielded one candidate and the high command will decide on what do with surplus votes.

Mr Shivakumar also said his official takeover as party state unit president is likely to take place on June 14.

"Whatever our national leadership will decide... For now we are fielding only one candidate, regarding surplus votes whatever our high command says, we will abide by it," he said in response to a question about supporting Deve Gowda.

Polls for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka is scheduled for June 19.

The Congress, which can win one seat with its strength in the assembly, has fielded veteran party leader Mallikarjun Kharge as the candidate, while the BJP is yet to decide on candidates for two seats it can win.

The JD(S), which has 34 seats in the assembly, is not in a position to win a seat in Rajya Sabha on its own, and will need support from one of the national parties with their surplus votes for this.

Minimum 44 votes are required for candidates to win.

Speculation is rife that congress is likely to support JD(S) with its surplus votes if the regional party fields Mr Gowda, and in return may seek favour during legislative council polls slated later this month.

Though JD(S) legislators are of the unanimous opinion that Mr Gowda should contest Rajya Sabha polls, the 87-year-old leader is said to be undecided and weighing options.

If he contests and wins, this will be the second Rajya Sabha entry for him, the first time being in 1996 as Prime Minister.

June 9 is the last date for filing nominations.

Stating that on June 8, Mallikarjun Kharge will file his nomination for Rajya Sabha polls, DK Shivakumar requested party workers not to come to Congress office or Vidhana Soudha, where the nomination will be filed, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Let your love and affection continue, but let's not create problems by gathering here. After the election is over, and once he (Kharge) wins, you can greet and congratulate him. Let's not bring a bad name to his seniority for not maintaining social distancing by gathering," he said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
August 4,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 4: With preparations underway for conducting exams for the final semester/ year students in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Monday directed the respective universities to conduct exams for the backlog papers as well.

"In the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided to hold exams only for the students of final semester/year courses. It has come to our notice that some universities have decided against conducting exams for final year students who have a backlog to clear from previous semesters. This is unpardonable," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"Our intention is to see that the final year students finish their course. In the present situation, conducting only final semester exams won't help. We have to help the students in clearing their backlogs," added Ashwathnarayan, directing all universities to compulsorily conduct these exams.

Meanwhile, Ashwathnarayan thanked the staff and officials of various government departments who were responsible for successfully conducting the CET exams even amidst the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

"In all, 1,94,419 students had registered for the CET exams, of which 1,75,428 wrote the exams. The percentage of students who took up the exams this year was equivalent to that of the previous years, in normal times," the DCM informed.

"After we successfully conducted the exams, Arunachal Pradesh is going to conduct the Public Service Commission exams on the lines of how we successfully conducted the exams. Likewise, even our KPSC has said it will conduct the exams. We must appreciate the good work of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has set an example for others," Ashwathnarayan said.

The deputy chief minister said that 33 colleges in various districts across the state faced shortage of land and that it is the responsibility of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the lands sanctioned for all these colleges.
In Bagalkot district alone land has not been sanctioned for six degree colleges, he said.

Reacting to this, Bagalkot DC Captain Rajendra assured to look into the matter as soon as he receives the proposal from department officials.

"Similarly, there is shortage of land for five Diploma colleges and 28 ITI colleges in different parts of the state. The DCs must immediately pay attention to this. Once they get the land, buildings will come up within no time," the Karnataka deputy chief minister said.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.