Manipal:
Five days on, yet there is no arrest in the Manipal gang-rape case in which a young medical student was assaulted on the way home from the library. Police have announced a reward of Rs 2 lakhs for information about the accused.
There are almost ten thousand auto-rickshaws plying in and around Manipal and other nearby towns. The police are looking for one in particular - the one into which the young woman was forced. Private CCTV footage has images of the auto but they are unclear and the number cannot be seen.
Pratap Reddy, Inspector General, Western Range, told NDTV that the reward was to speed up the process of finding the accused - and that definite progress had been made based on the sketch released by police on Monday.
The auto is believed to have been slightly damaged and had a Ganesha idol at the time of the attack.
Auto unions are cooperating with police in the investigation.
Manohar, an auto driver said, "We are very upset that this was done by an auto driver. Our name is spoilt, other customers will doubt us. Out reputation is spoilt. If the culprit is caught, it will be good for us. We will support the investigation and cooperate as much as possible.
Another driver, Umesh added, "If they find the culprits they should get the death penalty or life sentence."
Unlike other cities, autos in Manipal do not display driver details in the cabin.
When the hunt is on for the guilty, even the innocent can suffer. Women students told us they view every auto rickshaw driver with suspicion now.
"We are looking for the rapist in every shopkeeper and auto driver," said one student.