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Authorities reported a tragic incident in southern India where two women were victims of gang rape, and a man was killed near the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi.
The victims, an Israeli tourist alongside an Indian homestay operator, were enjoying an evening of stargazing with three male companions by a lake when a group of assailants attacked them on Thursday night, as detailed by police superintendent Ram Arasiddi.
Arasiddi indicated that the attackers forcibly submerged the men in the Tungabhadra River canal before committing the assaults against the women. Out of the three men present, two survived the ordeal, while the body of the third was recovered the following morning.
According to police reports, the attack occurred in Sanapur, where five individuals, including two women and three men, were assaulted, with the two foreign victims prominently highlighted.
In the aftermath of the incident, law enforcement apprehended two suspects related to the attack, and an extensive investigation is currently underway. Authorities suspect that the assailants had been trailing the group prior to the assault.
Witness accounts from one of the women suggest that the group was engaged in stargazing near a local temple when three men approached them on a motorcycle, inquiring about nearby petrol stations.
As one individual in the group provided guidance, one of the men reportedly demanded 100 rupees (approximately $1.29) from the tourists. The homestay operator’s refusal to comply led to increasing tensions, culminating in one of the male tourists handing over 20 rupees.
Following this, an argument ensued, after which the situation escalated tragically. The deceased male tourist’s body was later discovered in the Tungabhadra canal, located in Karnataka’s Koppal district.
Investigators have opened a case at Gangavathi Rural Police Station, addressing offenses including extortion, robbery, gang rape, and attempted murder. Currently, the survivors are receiving medical care at a government hospital.
Hampi, a historical village in Karnataka, is renowned for its impressive ruins and temples dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, condemned the assault on social media, calling it a “most heinous act.” He assured that immediate steps were taken to liaise with police upon hearing of the incident, emphasizing the need for swift identification of the aggressors. “The police have arrested two accused in connection with the case and are continuing the investigation,” he stated.
This incident has reignited discussions around women’s safety in India, a topic that gained significant global attention following a brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata last year. The public outcry in response to that case emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection and societal change regarding women’s rights and safety.
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