Mangalore: Medical students demand justice for Manipal rape victim

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Jun 22: In connection to the alleged gang-rape of a Manipal student on Thursday June 20 night, medical students of Laxmi Memorial Education Trust staged a protest in front of the DC's office here on Saturday June 22 demanding that culprits be arrested immediately.

Addressing the gathering, Abhilash P V, senate member of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences said, "We urge the officials concerned and the government to arrest the culprits soon and bring them in front of people. Even in Mangalore, there are many students coming from various parts of the country. Their parents get worried when they see such incidents and hence we are ask the government to render protection to students."

The government should call a meeting of college heads and hostel wardens soon to discuss the safety measures for students, he added.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Shelly, a student from Nepal said, "Many students come here for education and it is the duty of the government to ensure that we are safe."

Another student, Neeru, said "I have come from Nepal thinking that Mangalore is safe, but after coming here I hear so many incidents. We hear of various promises, new policies framed by the government, but when will any action be taken?

"Rules similar to Muslim countries should be implemented here. Only when strict punishment is given to culprits  will such incidents reduce," she said.

A medical student of Manipal University hailing from Kerala was allegedly kidnapped and gang-raped by three men who came in an auto on the night of Thursday June 20. She was later admitted to hospital. No arrests have been made so far, and police have formed eight teams to catch the culprits.