Widespread anguish over Pilikula vigilante attack : Cops arrest 3
Mangaluru: The Sangh Parivar activists literally resorted to Goondaism at the Manasa Water Park at Pilikula Nisargadhama on the outskirts of the city on January 2, Tuesday by intercepting students of a college who were enjoying a picnic and even assaulted one of the girls right in the presence of the police.
Though video clipping of the same went viral in the social media, the Kavoor police who had reportedly remained apathetic in the beginning registered a case only after an advocate intervened. Later the cops arrested Sampath Shetty, Varada and Dinesh of Moodushedde in connection with the incident.
The incident : Two boys, both II PUC students of a college at Aikala Thalippady near Kinnigoli along with two female students had hired a car on Tuesday and had arrived at Pilikula Nisargadhama. The Parivar activists who gathered information that the students were making merry at the Manasa Water Park, barged into the place and attempted to assault the students. The Kavoor Police who arrived at the spot made arrangements to take the students out of the Park.
Assaulted : As the students were being escorted outside, Sampath Shetty, a prominent local activist of Hindu Jagarana Vedike hit one of the girls on her neck right in the presence of the police who however at that moment made no attempt to take him to custody. Someone who recorded the incident had circulated it in the social media. It was only after it went viral and caused uproar that the cops registered a case.
Victim's mother files complaint : As per the complaint lodged by Melcy Serrao, the mother of the assault victim, police have arrested HJV activists Sampath Shetty, Varad and Dinesh and have registered cases against them under Section 341, 342, 324, 506, 509, 355, 153(a) and 74(1) of the IPC. Police said the prime accused Sampath Shetty already has a few cases against him in Kavoor Police Station.
Action on basis of video clipping : DCP Hanumantharaya told "Vartha Bharathi" that action would be taken against the perpetrators of the incident based on the video footage.
Widespread anguish : The goondaism and vigilante attack by the Parivar activists has led to widespread anguish with many venting out their ire against the district administration as well as the Police Department for their failure to rein in the unscrupulous elements.
"This is a joint operation"
"This is a joint operation of the Sangh Parivar and the Police Department. The Police Department in the district has completely bowed before the Sangh Parivar. The viral video of Tuesday is testimony to this. Instead of taking into custody those who tried to come in the way of the students who were at Pilikula, it is condemnable on the part of the police for allowing assault on the student right in their presence. Such an incident would not have taken place had the Sangh Parivar activists had any fear of the Police Department or law. A similar incident took place at Subrahmanya recently. Everyone is well aware as to why such incident taken place during election time. Such incidents would not have recurred if the district administration and Police Department acted tough. The authorities must take this incident seriously. There should also be an investigation into the Police failure during the incident."
Vidya Dinker, social activist
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"Those resorting to goondaism must be reined in"
"The Police Department has completely bowed before the Sangh Parivar in the district. Their taking this incident lightly despite assault on the girls right in their presence is proof to this. The government, elected representatives and the social organisations must extend their moral support to the Police Department to ensure that action follows against those resorting to goondaism. The incident is condemnable."
Dinesh Hegde Uleppady, advocate and social activist
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Allu Arjun didn't leave theatre despite being told about woman's death: Hyderabad police
Hyderabad, Dec 22: Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died, police officials claimed on on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner C V Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.
The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre till the midnight.
Anand did not make any comment on the video, but said the media can draw its own conclusions.
A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.
He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.
Allu Arjun's staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.
The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman's death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans don't harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.
However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.
Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.
Amid allegations that bouncers hired by Allu Arjun pushed crowds as well as policemen when the stampede occurred at the cinema hall, the police commissioner warned that stringent action as per law would be taken if THE bouncers indeed misbehaved with the police on duty.
The VIPs would be made responsible for the behaviour of the bouncers hired by them, he said.
Asked if the police would appeal against the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun, the commissioner refused to give a direct response, just saying it is part of the investigation.
What course of action is taken would be known in the days to come, he said.
He also declined to comment when asked if the family of the deceased told him about Allu Arjun's team or film production team allegedly threatening them not to speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy found fault with Allu Arjun responding on Saturday to the debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister, who observed that the actor should have respect for the government and the chief minister, demanded an apology from Allu Arjun to the government and the CM.
"This government is never vindictive. As Cinematography Minister, we allowed benefit shows and hiking ticket prices to promote the film industry," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar found fault with CM Revanth Reddy for his comments on Allu Arjun in the Assembly on Saturday.
The comments of the CM sounded like character assassination of Allu Arjun and hurting the Telugu film industry, he alleged in a statement.
Later in the day, Sanjay Kumar visited a boy who is undergoing treatment in a hospital after being injured in the stampede.
"Consoled his father over the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Revathi. I pray to god that Sritej recovers at the earliest. Assured support to the family in this difficult time," Kumar said on X.
Earlier in the day, state DGP Jitender told reporters in Karimnagar district that film personalities and all others should understand that safety and security of citizens is utmost important, and also conduct themselves accordingly.
