Family Withdraws POCSO Case Against Conductor, Seeks Harmony in Karnataka and Maharashtra

Bengaluru, Feb 25 (NationPress) Amid ongoing tensions in the border regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra following the assault on an RTC bus conductor in Belagavi for allegedly not communicating in Marathi, the family of the minor girl involved in the incident on Tuesday declared their intention to withdraw the POCSO case.

The girl's mother has also urged the residents of both states not to exaggerate the situation.

In a video, she mentioned, “The incident occurred when my son and daughter visited the hospital after purchasing a ticket. The conductor had used inappropriate language. We cherish the Kannada language while conversing in Marathi at home.”

“We are worried and disheartened that this matter has escalated into a crisis between the two states and a dispute over language. We apologize if we have made any errors. Those responsible for the assault are in custody. This matter should conclude here. It was merely a scuffle over a ticket. We are withdrawing the case,” the mother asserted.

Responding to the developments, Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin announced that the Investigating Officer has been reassigned and the case is now under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). “I received the video from the victim's mother. I will instruct the ACP to investigate the situation, document the statement, and take necessary action,” Iada Martin stated.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy commented in Bengaluru, “I visited Belagavi on Monday and met the conductor in the hospital. I have also conferred with the officials. Currently, no RTC buses are traveling into Maharashtra from Karnataka, nor vice versa. Private buses are still operational. Previously, we had 509 schedules, and Maharashtra had 130. The public is feeling the impact.”

“Besides one incident where a Maharashtra RTC bus was painted black in Chitradurga, no other incidents have been reported in our state. However, in Maharashtra, Karnataka RTC buses have been targeted and painted black. I have consulted with our Chief Secretary to address this with Maharashtra authorities. I have also updated CM Siddaramaiah on the matter,” Minister Reddy added.

Concurrently, Kannada organizations organized a protest in Belagavi city condemning the incident. Police intervened, removing the activists from the road and transporting them to an undisclosed location.

T.A. Narayana Gowda, president of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, emphasized the need to apply the Goonda Act against those who assaulted the conductor. “If the perpetrators are apprehended, we are capable of taking much stronger action than they did to the conductor. We do not wish to emulate the Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti (MES),” he warned.

Praveen Kumar Shetty, president of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Shetty Faction), asserted that the POCSO charge against the conductor was due to political pressure.

Meanwhile, the conductor expressed relief over the minor girl’s family's decision to withdraw the POCSO case, asserting that it was filed to coerce him into withdrawing his complaint.

Tensions emerged in the border district of Belagavi last Saturday after an RTC bus conductor was assaulted by a group for encouraging them to communicate in Kannada.

Protests by Kannada organizations led to a blockade of the Belagavi-Bagalkot road, demanding police action against the assailants.