Mysuru gang-rape: Former CM H D Kumaraswamy says "follow what was done in Hyderabad"
Bengaluru, Aug 27: JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy on Friday appeared to suggest to deal with alleged rapists of a college student near Mysuru, on the lines of police action in Telangana nearly two years ago when perpetrators of such a crime were shot dead.
Amid outrage over the gang-rape, Karnataka Minister Anand Singh said: "Everything of the perpetrators should be chopped off."
Speaking to reporters in Chennapatna, Kumaraswamy said, "I appreciate the Hyderabad police in dealing with a rape case. What did they do finally? Unless stringent action is taken things will not improve."
The former Chief Minister was referring to the way the Hyderabad police shot dead the four alleged rapists who had burnt alive a veterinarian along with her vehicle after committing the crime at Shamshabad in the Telangana capital in 2019.
While recreating the crime scene, all the four accused were taken to the spot. When they allegedly tried to escape, Telangana police shot them.
"The government should handle it delicately and follow what was done in Hyderabad," Kumaraswamy added.
He blamed the government and police for the incident, which "did not stop people from drinking in public places". He alleged that gambling activities were rampant in villages.
Flaying "police for targeting innocent people and not the anti-social elements", he said the police department has become inept due to the "transfer for money".
He even added that the existing system encouraged the criminals.
"In our existing system, the accused are sent to jail and then they come out on bail after a few days. There is a belief that nothing will happen," the JD(S) leader said.
Karnataka Tourism, Environment and Ecology Minister Anand Singh said, "Everything of the perpetrators should be chopped off. Such incidents should not have happened."
Senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa said the police were investigating the case sincerely and were working beyond their capacity to trace the criminals.
"I am confident that the criminals will be caught and punished accordingly," Yediyurappa said.
Reacting to the incident, Congress MLA from Belagavi Rural constituency Laxmi Hebbalkar demanded capital punishment for the criminals as they not only perpetrated the heinous crime, but also made a video and tried to extort money from the victim.
She even wondered why the police could not trace the criminals even after "so many days".
The medical student with her male friend were on their way to the Chamundi hills on the outskirts of Mysuri on Tuesday evening when at least four people waylaid them and gang-raped her after assaulting him.
The gang members also allegedly made a video and threatened to make it viral unless they paid them Rs three lakh, police sources said.
When the girl and her male friend expressed their inability, they thrashed them.
The girl was later admitted to a hospital where she narrated the trauma she underwent.
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Maharashtra govt aims to make forts encroachment-free by May 31
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a crackdown on encroachments at forts across the state, aiming to remove illegal structures by May 31, an official said on Tuesday.
The district collectors have been asked to prepare fort-wise lists of encroachments by January 31, the official said.
The chief minister has said that to ensure a systematic approach, district-level committees under the chairmanship of collectors will be formed, and these will oversee the phased removal of encroachments from February 1 to May 31.
He said the government will also set up vigilance committees to prevent future encroachments.
"Public demand for decisive action had been growing, and the government has responded accordingly," Fadnavis said.
Maharashtra is home to 47 forts that are centrally protected, 62 state-protected, and approximately 300 unprotected forts. The initiative aims to preserve the historical and aesthetic significance of these cultural landmarks.
On Monday, the state government issued a government resolution (GR) ordering the formation of committees to address encroachments at forts.
Elaborating on the government's strategy, State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said, "The district-level committees will comprise police commissioners, municipal corporation chiefs, forest officers, and representatives from archaeological departments. They will ensure encroachments are addressed efficiently and that law and order is maintained."
He said the committees will meet monthly to review progress and submit regular reports to the state government.
The move comes in light of encroachments at Vishalgad Fort in Kolhapur district.
Shelar said the initiative involves removing existing encroachments and ensuring these historical sites are well-protected for future generations.
