Bengaluru, March 11: The tragic murder of a 10th-grade student by a group of minors in Shivamogga district has raised serious concerns in the Karnataka Assembly regarding the escalating drug abuse in the region. Opposition lawmakers voiced their apprehensions about the deteriorating law and order situation during the Zero Hour session on Wednesday.
Former Home Minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra described the incident as disturbing and inhumane, highlighting that the crime occurred in an area adjacent to his constituency. He emphasized the alarming rise of drug-related issues in Shivamogga, noting that boys aged 15 to 16 brutally beat the student to death, calling it an inhumane act.
Jnanendra questioned the effectiveness of police presence in the area, insisting that the perpetrators must face justice. He expressed concern that, being minors, they might be released, urging authorities to ensure they do not receive bail.
He also referenced the ₹15 lakh compensation announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the victim’s family but stressed the need for stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Warning of the potential for further violence, Jnanendra pointed out allegations against some police officers for colluding with drug cartels, calling for decisive action to halt such tragedies.
The issue was also raised by JDS MLA Sharda Puranik, who noted that the incident occurred during special classes held for students on the school premises. She recounted how one student was called outside, where a group targeted him. One of the students managed to return and inform the headmaster.
Puranik emphasized that teachers are responsible for students until they leave the school campus. In this attack, a student named Sainath was assaulted and succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital, leaving his family devastated. She further expressed concern over the easy availability of marijuana and other drugs in the area.