Hoteliers: Act against goons who stabbed bakery owner

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Following the brutal stabbing of a bakery proprietor by goons near the KRS reservoir at Mandya district, hoteliers across the state have demanded that the state government take cognizance of the rise in attacks on hotels and sought protection from such elements. Chetan, who runs a bakery not very far away from KRS police station was ambushed by a group of assailants and was stabbed with deadly weapons.

This has instilled a sense of fear amongst businesses across Mandya district. Goons and other influential individuals usually scour such places for “hafta” money, it is learnt. If the payment is not done, goons resort to threats and physical violence. President of the Karnataka State Hotels Association (KSHA) GK Shetty has called on the state’s police department to intervene and ensure hoteliers and bakers are protected, especially in rural areas. “Such heinous acts, including murder, are fostering a climate of fear in these businesses. This situation is a blemish on Karnataka's reputation as a 'garden of peace, 'as described by Rashtrakavi Kuvempu,'' he said.

A memorandum regarding this issue was submitted to Home Minister G Parameshwara. “It is imperative that stringent penalties are imposed on those found guilty,'' it said.