Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Dec 17: A case has been registered at the Belthangady police station after serious allegations surfaced that the manager of a jewellery shop and others assaulted three students near the town’s weekly market, reportedly after questioning them about their religion.

Police have booked Ashok Bangera, the manager of the jewellery shop located near Santhekatte, along with other staff members under BNS Sections 126(2) and 115(1).

The injured students are currently undergoing treatment at the Belthangady Government Hospital, police said.

According to the complaint, three students from the Venoor area had taken a day off from school on Monday and arrived in Belthangady in the afternoon to visit the weekly market held every Monday. After spending some time in the town, the students were seated near the jewellery shop at Santhekatte, playing games on their mobile phones.

At this point, the accused allegedly asked the students their names and, upon learning that they were Muslim students, abused them using derogatory remarks in the name of religion. The complaint further alleges that the students were then confined inside a room and assaulted.

It is further alleged that when the parents of the students went to question the assault, the shop manager and other staff members engaged in a heated argument with them and used abusive language.

During the incident, one of the three students reportedly managed to escape and fled the scene, leading to panic among family members when he could not be found. After a search conducted late into the night, the student was eventually traced and reunited with his parents.

All three students who sustained injuries in the alleged assault remain admitted to the Belthangady Government Hospital. Police recorded the statements of the students at the hospital and formally registered the case on Tuesday.

After learning of the incident, SDPI leader Akhtar Belthangady visited the injured students at the hospital and enquired about their health. Condemning the incident, he said the students were assaulted over a trivial issue after being asked about their religion and demanded that the police department take strict action against the accused.

Police have stated that further investigation into the case is under way.