Karnataka: Four held in connection with assault on differently-abled boy
Bagalkote (PTI): Four people were taken into custody on Saturday in connection with the assault on a differently-abled boy, after a few videos of the incident went viral, police said.
The footage allegedly shows the boy being physically assaulted at a residential school in the city.
The assault occurred three months ago, and the matter came to light after the video of the incident was shared with the 16-year-old boy's parents by a former worker of the school, they added.
In one of the videos, a man was seen beating the boy with a belt and a pipe, while pinning him down with his foot as the teen screamed for help.
Superintendent of Police Siddharth Goyal said the school for differently-abled children is run by a husband-and-wife duo.
"As per the video in circulation, the couple is seen hitting the 16-year-old boy with a pipe and other objects," he said.
The boy's parents filed a complaint, based on which an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act, Goyal confirmed.
"We have secured the couple and two caretakers working at the school as part of the investigation. Due process will be followed," he added.
Noting that the incident occurred three months ago, the SP said the video was recorded by a staff member at the time. "After being removed from work, the person shared the video with the boy's parents, who then approached the police," he said.
Police are also verifying the role of other caretakers at the institution, Goyal said, adding that the support of the Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled Persons and the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) has been sought.
Legal action will be taken against those found responsible after a thorough investigation.
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Kerala CM Vijayan flags ‘The Kerala Story 2’ as ‘threat to secularism’
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday expressed concern over the upcoming release of the second part of 'The Kerala Story', claiming that its first installment was made with the "intent to spread hatred against the state and undermine its secular tradition."
Vijayan, in a statement issued by his office, also questioned how "poisonous works produced to spread division and hatred in society" were allowed to be screened, while a film like 'Beef' was barred from a film festival.
He further said that Sangh Parivar centres had taken over and spread the false narrative conveyed by 'The Kerala Story'.
“They are spreading false propaganda by portraying even marriages conducted with mutual consent as examples of communalism and forced religious conversion,” the CM said.
He contended that such forces view Kerala—with no communal riots and a tradition of mutual respect among communities—with hostility, and termed them “enemies of the state” attempting to destroy the peace and tranquility of the region.
“We must collectively reject attempts to portray Kerala, a land of religious harmony that stands at the forefront of sustainable development and is a model in maintaining law and order, as a center of terrorism,” Vijayan said.
“It is the responsibility of each of us to ensure that Kerala’s secular foundation is not undermined by false propaganda and to reject it by upholding the values of secularism and brotherhood,” he added.
Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the teaser of 'Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond', was released recently.
The first film, 'The Kerala Story', won awards for Best Direction and Best Cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards.
