Thousands converge in Mangaluru demanding justice for Kavya

Mangaluru, Aug 9: Several thousand people from across the district including students of various institutions on Wednesday staged a massive protest in the heart of the coastal city demanding justice for Kayva Poojary, the Class 10 student of Alva’s High School, who was found dead in her hostel room in Moodbidri last month.

More than three dozen organisations had extended support to today’s protest meet. The protesters took out a massive rally from Dr B R Ambedkar Circle before converging in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner.

Kavya's mother Baby Poojary, who was several times collapsed in the protest meet, exhorted all the people to join her fight to seek justice for her daughter. She alleged that the institution heads are trying to hush up the case. "Kavya is my daughter and at the same time, she is your sister. Support us in our fight for justice," she made an emotional appeal to the mammoth gathering.

Mayor Kavitha Sanil who took part in the protest rally, said she had come as a common citizen seeking justice to Kavya and not as the first citizen of the city. "During my visit to her (Kavya) house, I realised that Kavya's parents have several unanswered questions about her daughter's death. The investigating agencies need to find an answer to these questions," Kavitha said.

Requesting political parties not to interfere in the issue, she said: "This protest is a fight for justice. I am also a national sportsperson. I know that sportspersons are not weak-hearted to commit suicide. Only a thorough investigation will bring out the truth. I also support the demand for compensation to Kavya's family and I will do my best in this regard."

Dinakar Shetty, president, Justice for Kavya Forum, warned authorities not take the issue lightly. "There was a sea of change when the student community took to street after Nirbhaya incident in Delhi and it forced the government to amend the law. Kavya's case is as similar to Nirbhaya and that's the reason why students have come out on the streets," Shetty said.

He alleged there is a conspiracy behind Kavya's murder and it needs to be investigated. The police too are in favour of the management, he said, alleging police were trying to hide the facts of the case.