Homestay attack: Guilty will not be spared, says Karnataka CM

As outrage grew over the attack

on partying girls and boys at a homestay in Mangalore by

rightwing activists, the Karnataka government today termed it

as an "inhuman act" and said the accused have been booked

under stringent IPC provisions including attempt to rape.Twelve persons have been arrested and cases for offences

including dacoity, attempt to rape, unlawful assembly,

assault, threat to life and wrongful restraint slapped against

them, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar told the Assembly which

was rocked by the July 28 moral policing act."It's an inhuman act. They should be punished. No

question of protecting anybody", Shettar said as angry

opposition Congress and JDS members raised the issue,

targeting the BJP Government blaming its 'soft attitude' for

such incidents.Making a statement on the issue, Shettar said 13

students, including five girls, were at the homestay to

celebrate the birthday of one of them when they were attacked

by Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists along with 40-50 people

around 6.30 pm on Saturday.They indulged in physical assault and misbehaviour,

snatched gold chain and took away Rs 10,000 from the inmates

and used a sharp weapon, he said."The arrested persons have been questioned and they have

revealed a few more names. Special squads have been formed (to

nab them). The case is under further investigation," he said.Demanding a ban on organisations like Bajrang Dal, Sriram Sene and Hindu Jagarana Vedike, invoking sections of Goonda

Act and attempt to murder against the accused, the Opposition

staged a walk-out, saying the government should actually be

doing more.Recalling the infamous pub attack in Mangalore in 2009,

attacks on churches in coastal region and some acts of moral

policing, Siddaramaiah said had the government taken stern

action and punished the guilty, the latest incident would not

have happened.The issue also rocked the legislative council where noisy

scenes were witnessed when Opposition Congress and JDS raised

the matter.A division bench of the Karnataka High court headed by

Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen expressed displeasure over the

attack on students."Nobody comes to court with issues concerning attack on

women. You call Mangalore the cultural capital of the state.But attacks happen on women there," the bench observed while

hearing a PIL seeking direction to Kendra Sahitya Academy to

consider Konkani language for awards.Meanwhile, colleges in Mangalore remained closed today in

response to a bandh called by students to protest the

incident.Police said no untoward incident had been reported in the

city where prohibitory orders for three days is in force since

yesterday as a precautionary measure.