Udupi: Nalin Kateel blames police failure for Manipal rape, gives two-day deadline
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jun 22: Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Saturday June 22 condemned the gang-rape of a medical student at Manipal on Thursday June 20 night and said that police failure in curbing evils like drug menace and other crimes was responsible for the incident.
Speaking to reporters during his visit with other BJP leaders to Udupi to take stock of the situation, Kateel warned that if the police fail to catch the culprits in the next two days, protest will be intensified.
"The gang-rape at Manipal has brought as much shame as the one in Delhi last December. It has made people bow their heads in shame," he said.
"Over the past one month or so, incidents like rape and other crimes have been repeating in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. The police should catch the culprits in each case and punish them stringently without bowing to any political pressure," he said.
"Manipal is not only an education hub but also a business centre, but its image has been tarnished by the drug mafia and other illegal activities that are prevalent here. Strict action should be taken against hotels and businesses that remain open late into the night, and security must be tightened in educational institutionals and hostels," Kateel said.
He also met IGP Pratap Reddy and discussed the matter with him. He assured that the police will be given all support and assistance on his part and urged the IGP to ensure that the culprits are caught soon.
Kota Srinivas Poojary, Raghupati Bhat, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Nagaraj Shetty and others were present.
Earlier Report
Manipal rape: Eight police teams formed, CM promises stern steps
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Jun 22: IGP (western range) Pratap Reddy on Saturday June 22 said that eight police teams led by SP Dr Boralingaiah have been formed to investigate the Manipal gang-rape case and trace the accused at the earliest.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday even as students from various colleges marched into the streets demanding justice, the IGP said that the investigation will be taken on a war-footing and assured that the accused will be caught soon.
"Taking into consideration the physical and mental condition of the victim, we will elicit information about the accused from her. If she is not in a position to talk, we will try to get the required information through the doctors treating her," he said.
"We have already obtained certain leads and information about the accused. Questioning is going on and we are confident of arresting the accused very soon," he added.
He also said that the exact spot of the crime, where the girl was taken and reportedly gang-raped by three men, cannot be revealed at this point of time as it might hamper investigation.
Based on the manner in which the crime was carried out, the IGP said that it seemed to be the handiwork of an experienced auto rickshaw driver, who could easily drive the auto at a high speed late in the night. The other two men are yet unknown.
He also informed that home minister K J George will visit Udupi and Manipal on Sunday June 23 and discuss the case with the officials concerned.
SP Dr Boralingaiah was present.
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CM condemns Manipal gang-rape, promises stern steps
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Jun 22: Taking serious note of the rape of a medical student in Manipal on the night of Thursday, Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah condemned the incident and said that all out measures would be taken to punish the culprits involved with the crime.
In a statement made here today, he said that state home minister, K J George, would be visiting Manipal on Sunday June 23, to take stock of the situation, hold consultations with the concerned, and initiate necessary action.
The incident has evoked protests by students and others at Udupi and Manipal. The protestors have been demanding immediate arrest of the rapists. The policemen claim that they have been trying their best to find out the identities of the criminals.
Totally unacceptable - Jayaprakash Hegde
Speaking to daijiworld, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hegde condemned the incident and said, "This is a tragic incident that has taken place at Manipal University. Just last year the police and the management had together worked to beef up security in the campus following a meeting with the students. There is a home guard security vehicle, CCTVs and so on, and yet such a gruesome incident has happened. This is totally unacceptable and shocking."
He added, "Manipal University should give even more security to its students, as this campus is of international standards where students from all over come to study. I am in touch with the police, and I can say that they are doing their best to catch the accused.
"Let us hope for the best. Right now what is most important is that the girl (victim) is given full moral support by her friends, family and the college so that she recovers quickly from the shock."
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