Bengaluru: Child's rape - Residents up in arms

Bengaluru:  The gory rape of a five-year-old girl in Veeranapalya in KG Halli has sparked spontaneous protest by the local residents, alleging blatant neglect by the police and civic authorities. Nearly 500 residents took part in the protest march.

The residents complained that the incident happened within 100 metres from the police station, thereby raising serious questions regarding safety in the area.

They pointed out that the area is not properly lit. "We have been asking for street lights for the past two years and filed numerous petitions to the BBMP and the Bescom, but no action was taken," said Miskin, a member of the Residents Welfare Association of the area.

The residents collected funds among themselves and installed street lights, which was disconnected on a weekly basis by Bescom. Soon after the incident, the BBMP fixed the previously installed streetlights but they are not sufficient enough to light the entire area, Miskin said. "The government had assured to construct a park, but currently the proposed land is occupied by slums. We also requested for installment of CCTV cameras, but this has been disregarded," said another protestor, who did not want to be named. The protesters said called for relocation of slums, completion of road works and other basic necessities.