Bantwal, February 28, 2013
Political parties cutting across party lines joined the general public in demanding death penalty to the accused arrested in connections with Soumya’s attempted rape and murder.
A large number of people had gathered in front of the Taluk office at B C Road protesting against the heinous demanding death penalty and also to create awareness among people so that such incidents do not recur. Some locals who took part in the protest expressed their apprehensions that attempts might be made to weaken the case by declaring the accused as mentally ill.
Political leaders cutting across party lines condemned the barbaric act and demanded that justice be done to the victim’s family.
After the pretest, a memorandum was submitted to the government through the Tahsildar demanding severe action against the accused.
Janardhana Poojary provides financial help
In a kind gesture Senior Congress leader and former union minister Janardhana Poojary visited the house of victim Soumay’s family yesterday and handed over Rs. one lakh collected from the District Congress Workers during a press conference. The entire amount was handed over to the victim’s family.
Residents shocked
In the meantime the attempted rape and murder of 22-year old Soumya has shocked the 40-odd residents living in the vicinity of Balthila village in Bantwal taluk. The victim was alleged molested and then murdered by a 24-year old youth of the same village when she walked home a distance of three kms from Dasanakodi bus stop. Villagers who have been demanding for a bus service more than five years now, say they are scared to allow women and young girls to walk alone in this three km stretch. Sometimes the parents of young girls have to go to the bus stop to fetch their children in the late evenings. They hope that at least now the area will be provided with a bus service.
