Beltangady: 'Vested Interests Using Sowjanya Case for Publicity'
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (NM)
Beltangady, Nov 9: Hundreds of people on Friday November 9 staged protest against the rape and murder of student Sowjanya and also on the rising suspicion about the involvement of locals and authorities of Dharmasthala.
As part of the protest, a vehicle procession was also held from Dharmasthala to Beltangady.
Addressing the gathering, Keshav Belalu, president of Dharmasthala panchayat said, “Swamiji, presspersons and a few other people with vested interests have been making use of Sowjanya’s case gaining publicity. Don’t try to divide the society," he warned.
"Investigation should also be carried out to catch those who have been indulging in circulating SMS on this issue," he said.
Condemning the move, Keshav M, taluk panchayat president said, "The police have registered cases against innocent people helped the police in the investigation."
Dhanakirthi Ariga said that Mahesh Shetty of HJV should stop speaking against Dharmasthala.
"Investigations should be ordered into all the 54 cases of unnatural deaths that have taken place in Dharmasthala, CC cameras should be installed in all the important places and Sowjanya's should be handed over to the CBI" he said.
He added that if there is any pressure from influential people on the police as claimed by some, it has to be brought to limelight. "Action should be taken against those people who have been diverting people's attention," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhanalakshmi Janardhan, member of zilla panchyat said, "Society must respect girls so that it will give them courage and confidence."
The protesters demanded that immediate investigation should be launched to track down SMS senders who falsely claim the involvement of locals and authorities of Dharmasthala.
After the protest, a memorandum was submitted addressed to the chief minister and district superidendetent of police. Tahsildar Kusuma Kumari and SI Yogish Kumar received the memorandum.
Panchayat member Srinivas Rao, former president Haridas Gambir, Dharmasthala panchayat member Chandan Prasad Kamath, Babu Gowda, grandfather of Sowjanya were present at the protest.
As part of the protest, the entire town observed a voluntary bandh.