Homestay Attack: Nanaiah says cops had prior info; Demands CBI probe

Mangalore, August 21: Even though the Police had prior information about the Hindu Jagaraga Vedike led attack on Morning Mist Homestay in Mangalore, they deliberately arrived at the spot late, alleged M C Nanaiah, MLC and JDS leader.

Speaking to media persons at a press meet in Mangalore on Tuesday, Mr. Nanaiah said that there was telephone record evidence of the police having spoken to the culprits of the attacks even before the attacks took place. “There was a conversation between the goons and the police at 6:30 pm that evening and there are phone records to prove it which the state government has in its possession. But it has not taken any action against them”, he said.

Mr. Naniah defended the media fraternity for giving wide coverage to the incident and said that the police have no right to slap cases against reporters for not informing them about the incident when they had spoken to the goons even before the attacks took place. Had it not been for media, the police would have slapped cases on the victims instead on false grounds of drug consumption and prostitution, he said.

Expressing lack of confidence in the state government's mode of enquiry into the incident, Mr. Naniah said that the government is hand in glove with the perpetrators of the attacks.

He slammed R Ashoka, State Home Minister, for not keeping his word with regard to booking the culprits under Goonda Act. He also criticized C T Ravi, DK District in Charge Minister, for his statements on the birthday party and aske as to why he had not met the victims of the attack.

Stating that the needle of suspicion is pointing heavily towards the approach of the state government in terms of carrying out a fair probe, Mr. Nanaiah said that in spite of an ADGP level police officer sent by the state government itself, inspecting the site of the attack and giving a statement in public that it was just a birthday party, the C Manjula, State Women's Commission chief and others in the state government have been repeatedly calling it a rave party. The government is acting under the pressure of Hindutva organisations, he said, adding that no action has been taken against Jagadish Karanth Hindu Jagarana Vedike Convenor, for defending his organization after the attacks.

A PIL on the issue is before the High Court, Mr. Nanaiah said, suggesting like the 2G Spectrum case, a CBI enquiry under the guidance of the Supreme Court must be carried out into the homestay attacks to bring to book the real conspirators of the attacks and the police personnel who are at fault.

Yeddyurappa is doing a good job

Responding to a query on B S Yeddyurappa's statewide drought tour, the JDS leader said that he appreciates the former Chief Minister's initiatives. “What he is doing at present is a wonderful job. He is taking on the ruling party better than the opposition parties. He is the most towering BJP leader in Karnataka and without him the BJP is nothing. No wonder Nitin Gadkari thinks twice before taking any action against him. If Mr. Yeddyurappa can come out of the BJP and set up his own party and stay relevant in Karnataka politics, that can be of great help”, he said.