Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur
Kundapur, Jun 20: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) held a huge protest on Friday June 19 demanding justice in the Akshata murder case.
17-year-old Akshata Devadiga, daughter of Babu and Radha Devadiga of Henaberu, was found dead on the evening of June 17 at Ottinene near Byndoor here. Police sources later confirmed that she was murdered.
Hundreds of students under the banner of ABVP boycotted classes and marched down the streets of Byndoor. They assembled at Gandhi Maidan, staged a protest, and then proceeded to tahsildar's office where they submitted a memorandum.
The students then marched in a procession to Byndoor police station via the national highway and gheraoed it. They shouted slogans and demanded the police inspector to give them a copy of the post-mortem report.
"The police and the government should take this case seriously and arrest culprits immediately and give them stringent punishment. Justice should be done, if not we will intensify our protests," they said.
Will not go to college till we get transport facility: Students tell minister Kimmane Ratnakar
Meanwhile, state primary education minister Kimmane Ratnakar visited the bereaved family's residence and expressed his sympathies. He assured the family that the government is determined to bring out the truth and provide them justice in the case.
Akshata used to walk to college everyday, and pass through an acacia plantation while doing so. It was when she was walking home from college that she was murdered. Her parents express concern over safety of students, especially girls in Henaberu village who have to walk 5-6 km everyday through uninhabitated paths in order to reach their colleges. "There is no bus facility. Even the express buses that ply on the highway do not stop at Henaberu cross. Also, as classes leave at different times, the students find it difficult to walk home in the evenings," the parents told the minister.
Several students of the vicinity also gathered and met the minister and expressed their problems. "This incident has filled us with fear. We do not want to go to schools and colleges. This area has no bus service, and we feel scared to walk. We see enough number of strangers wandering around while passing through the wooded paths. The government should provide us adequate transport facility, till then we will not go schools and colleges," the student asserted.
"Thorough investigation should be done to ascertain the actual cause of Akshata's death and the culprits should be punished stingently. The police and the government should take precautionary steps to ensure that such an incident does not happen again," Akshata's family members urged.
Speaking to reporters, Kimmane Ratnakar said, "Akshata's death has brought extreme grief. The police have already begun investigation and the public should cooperate with them. Tomorrow (Saturday June 20) itself the RTO will be asked to allow buses to stop near Raghavendra Math so that students would be benefited. I will also discuss this with the deputy commissioner.
"We will also consider the students' demand for transport facility for this area. Regarding college timings, we will hold discussions with the concerned. Rs 30 lac will be sanctioned to construct a room and toilets in Byndoor college," he added.
"The government will extend all assistance to this family. Undoubtedly, the truth will be out soon." he said.
MLA Gopal Poojary, taluk panchayat members Raju Poojary and others were present.
Meanwhile, the ABVP critized the education minister and said that one year ago Ratna Kottary had died in a similar way, but the case has not reached its logical conclusion yet. Her family have not even recieved compensation from the government, and even this case may end up in the same way, said an ABVP member.
Fifty people questioned
The police who have stepped up investigation into case have already detained 50 persons and questioned them, it is learnt. The hunt for the culprits is on and soon the case will be solved, said the police. SP Annamalai and other police officers are camped in Byndoor.