Hampi rape-murder: BJP slams Karnataka govt over law and order

NEW DELHI: BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai on Sunday strongly condemned the recent assault on tourists in Hampi, Karnataka, calling for stringent measures to ensure the safety of foreign visitors.

He blamed the state government for failing to maintain law and order, alleging that such lapses embolden anti-social elements.

“The state government must take this issue seriously to guarantee the security of foreign tourists. We strongly condemn this incident. Anti-social elements believe they have government backing, and this reflects the failure of both the administration and the police,” Tenginkai told the media.

The crime took place on March 6 near the Hampi heritage site in Vijayanagara district. Two women, including an Israeli national, were allegedly raped by three men, while a male tourist accompanying them was found dead, according to the police.

Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Karnataka’s top tourist destinations, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Incidents like this could severely impact the state's tourism industry, raising concerns over visitor safety.

Tenginkai’s remarks align with his party’s stance on law and order, as the BJP has been vocal in criticizing the Karnataka government’s handling of security issues.

Responding to the incident, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara assured that the state government was treating the case with utmost seriousness. “We have dispatched senior police officers to the site. Several arrests have already been made, and a special police team has been formed to investigate the matter,” he said.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah also condemned the attack, describing it as a “heinous crime.” He confirmed that two suspects had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing.

“As soon as we were informed about the incident, I directed police officials to take swift action, conduct a thorough investigation, and apprehend the culprits. The Karnataka government is committed to ensuring the safety of every individual, including tourists visiting our state,” Siddaramaiah wrote on X.

He further assured that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent such crimes in the future.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)

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