Karnataka govt must act against 'intolerable' illegal acts by students from abroad: Sadanand Gowda

Union Law and Justice Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Friday said the attack on a Tanzanian student has come as an embarrassment for the nation and said the Karnataka Government has to take some stringent measures in the wake of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

"This is not only an embarrassment for the Bengalurians. It is an issue wherein some international relationships are also attached. Law and order is a state subject. It is the responsibility of the state government to see that such things do not happen. We have seen since the last two years that despite several complaints of this nature being brought before the state police, they have not acted on it," Gowda told the media.

He went on to add that, "We are seeing each and every day either in the print media or electronic media, that students who have come from abroad for studying, are also doing many illegal activities here. It is intolerable."

The former Karnataka chief minister also said that there are several foreign students in Bengaluru whose visas have expired.

"It is learnt that the state government has itself said that more than one thousand foreign students, whose visas have expired are still in Bengaluru. What are they doing? Is it not the responsibility to find out those people and intimate the Central Government or the External Affairs Ministry to send them out of the country?" he said.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara yesterday said that his department has taken the attack seriously and added that the state government was committed to ensure the security of foreign students living in Karnataka. Parameshwara also denied media reports that the girl was sexually assaulted.

Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the alleged assault and stripping of a 21-year-old Tanzanian woman in Bengaluru.

The incident on Sunday night took a serious diplomatic turn with outrage building up over alleged mob violence.

The incident took place after a local woman was killed in accident caused by a car driven by a Sudanese student. While the mob beat up the Sudanese student and burnt his car, they also allegedly assaulted a Tanzanian woman who was passing by.

After public clamour and intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Karnataka Government has directed the crime department to take up the case and assured that strict action would be taken against the guilty.

Meanwhile, a Central team will visit Bengaluru today along with the Tanzanian High Commissioner to ascertain facts on the ground.

The Centre's move has been prompted by the Tanzanian High Commission taking the matter seriously, seeking strict legal action against the guilty.