Author: Vicky Nanjappa
Publication: Rediff.com
Date: February 8, 2009
URL: http://www.rediff.com/news/2009/feb/08dyfi-responsible-for-assaulting-mla-kunhambu-daughter.htm
The assault on the daughter of an MLA and
her friend at Mangalore has taken a new turn with the Democratic Youth Federation
of India claiming responsibility behind the incident.
The DYFI is the students wing of the Communist
Party of India-Marxist. The daughter of CPM MLA, Kunhambu and her friend were
assaulted and abducted by a group of men on Friday, while they were travelling
in a bus at Mangalore.
The DYFI while claiming responsibility for
the attack also said that they were only trying to protect the modesty of
the girl.
The Mangalore police who have arrested five
persons, four from Kasargod and one from Mangalore however refused to confirm
the identity of the accused.
When the incident occured on Friday, the MLA
blamed the Shriram Sena. However the founder of the Sena Pramod Muthalik denied
any role in the incident.
The accused who are in custody claimed that
they were from the DYFI and also maintain that they did nothing wrong. We
were only trying to ensure the safety of the girl, they also added during
their interrogation.
The lawyer defending the accused, P P Hegde
told rediff.com that his clients wanted to ensure the safety of the girl and
also added that they angered to see their MLAs daughter going out with a boy.
The victim however maintained that the boy
was known to her and added that he did not try and misbehave with her. I just
asked him where he was going she said. We were not sitting in the same seat
either, she said. Detailing the one hour in captivity she said that they were
warned and also added that the men threatened the boy several times.
Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa
has termed this incident as a conspiracy hatched by the Congress and the Janata
Dal-Secular to tarnish the image of his government. I have also asked the
police to take strict action, he also added. He has also chaired an all party
meet to discuss the growing incidents of violence.
Mangalore Superintendent of Police, Satish
Kumar told media-persons that action is being taken and also added that five
members are in custody. Kumar also said that the driver and conductor of the
bus too were in custody.
