College students boycotted classes across Udupi district and joined demonstrations held to protest against the Manipal gang-rape. The ‘bandh’ call was given by the district unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Nearly 1,000 students from different colleges in Udupi city participated in the protest organised by the ABVP in front of the Clock Tower.
K. Ramesh, secretary of the State unit of the ABVP, criticised the Manipal University and the district police for not providing adequate security to students. More CCTV cameras should be installed on the Manipal University campus, he said.
Abhishek Jain, Secretary of Udupi city unit of the ABVP, said the rapists should be handed stern punishment. The district and sessions judge should meet the student who was sexually assaulted and record her statement. Bars, wine shops and pubs in Manipal should be asked to close at 10 p.m. The police should take stern action against those involved in selling drugs or ganja in Manipal, he said.
According to ABVP sources, nearly 24,000 students from over 95 colleges in 22 places of the district boycotted classes.
CPI(M) protest
The district unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a dharna in front of the Clock Tower here.
Addressing a gathering, Balakrishna Shetty, member of district CPI(M) secretariat, said the university was only interested in making money. Police have failed to conduct a speed investigation and crack the case, he asked. Anant Nayak N., president of State unit of Student Federation of India (SFI) said that instead of investigating the case, the police was busy spending time in giving press statements. The Home Minister K.J. George statement that it was not possible to give any timeframe for solving the case had given rise to suspicion. The Additional Director General of Police Bipin Gopalakrishna had disclosed to the media all the clues available with the police.
“This will only alert the accused and help them to escape,” Mr. Nayak said.
Members of district unit of BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest in Manipal.
President of State unit of the Morcha Reena Prakash said that the Home Minister should resign from his post if the police failed to catch culprits involved in the gang-rape.
