Two more women arrested for assaulting Dalit woman

Two more women have been arrested in connection with the assault on a Dalit woman at Malpe harbour in Udupi, Karnataka. The new arrests include Parvati and Leela. This follows the previous arrests of three individuals, Laxmi Bai, Sundar, and Shilpa, on March 19. The assault occurred on March 18 when the victim was tied to a tree and beaten. The local police have also suspended two constables, Head Constable Suresh and Constable Nagraj, for failing to fulfill their duties during the incident. Disciplinary action is being taken against them. The Karnataka State Commission for Women is involved and has requested a detailed report about the police's response to the situation. The victim, who comes from Vijayanagara district, works as a head load worker at the harbour. On the day of the incident, she was accused of stealing fish while carrying a basket back home. She filed an official complaint after a video of the assault went viral. Activist Shekar Laila condemned the event, expressing shame over such violence occurring in an educated area like Udupi. The Malpe Fishermen Association has planned a closure of fishing activities to demand justice in this case.