Mangalore: Girl Victims of Home Stay Attack Should Come Forward - Advocate
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Nov 18: A fact finding report on the infamous July 28 home stay attack incident, jointly compiled by People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Karnataka and Forum Against Atrocities on Women, Mangalore was released by Bangalore-based advocate Hemalatha Mahishi at Sahodaya Hall near Balmatta here on Sunday November 18.
Addressing the gathering Mahishi said that the city once known for positive reasons in the entire state has now attained a different facet. "The culprits should not escape from the clutches of the law as it happened in the case of pub attack in 2009.
"Political backing is enough to encourage such elements," she added.
She said that the role of police in handling the entire episode was uncertain as every attempt was made to victimize TV journalist Naveen Soorinje, a witness. "This case needs to reach a logical conclusion," she asserted.
She expressed doubts over girl victims of the incident coming forward to fight the case. "Their evidence is key to the case and they play a vital role in the fight for justice," she said.
She also stressed on the need for concerted efforts by like-minded people against moral policing, especially.
Former journalist, Manipal Institute of Communication director Prof Varadesh Hiregange addressing the gathering said that police had been insensitive in dealing with cases of moral policing against pairs belonging to different religions. "Police have acted insensitively to the extent of calling the parents of the victims to the police stations and warning them," he said.
Hiregange added that when the Tehelka had exposed a scam by a government machinery, the latter harassed the media house by targetting it, likewise, filing case against the scribe who was a witness to the case was absurd.
"Earlier, 112 cases of moral policing and such other incidents had taken place in the district, however, there was lack of evidence. But in the case of home stay attack, TV journalist was a key witness and his footages helped the police investigations too. The police should withdraw the cases against Naveen. I hope that the fact finding report compiled by PUCL and Forum Against Atrocities on Women would be useful for further investigations," he said.
Writer-cum-activist Gulabi Bilimale, Suresh Bhat Bakrebailu, Sabiha Boomegowda among others were present. Vijayalaxmi Shetty compered the programme.