Students stage huge protest against gang rape in Manipal

The students of Manipal University took out a huge protest rally demanding additional security and also immediate arrest of the culprits who were involved in the rape of a Manipal student, here before the University building.

The protest which started around 7 pm went on till late night. The students who were bent upon their concern over inadequate security in the campus raised their voices against the intrusions of locals in and around the campus.

They demanded barricades to be put around the campus for the safety of the students. They expressed their deep anguish over the lackadaisical attitude of the University security officials over maintenance of appropriate security in the area. The students who gathered in large numbers, said that the inquiry should be hastened and the culprits should be nabbed.

They also said the auto rickshaw walls should be controlled. They pointed out the inadequate lighting facility in the campus area. The shouted slogans against Chief Security Officer, who in turn was defending the available security measures in the campus. He said students should avoid moving in dark areas and should be able to take care of themselves.

Meanwhile, Manipal University Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal assured frequent campus patrolling and he said that more number of mobile vans and patrolling vans will be added to the security system. He also said that measures will be taken against the movement of auto-rickshaw drivers within the campus.

However students, who seemed to be dissatisfied over the assurances, continued their protest shouting slogans against the security system in the University. They also referred to some incidents where students had lost their lives owing to the negligence of the campus security personnel.

The classmate of the victim (fourth year MBBS student) who did not wish to be quoted, said the victim was a very good girl who is very hard working and brilliant. "As we had exams on Friday at 2 pm, the victim had been studying in the library late night. Besides she is also a good singer. She has great family values and aspired to reach greater heights. It is big shock to all of us,” she said and added that many students learnt about the incident only in the afternoon on Friday, though the incident occured on Thursday night.