Mysuru: With only a few hours remaining before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival to inaugurate Viveka Memorial on Narayana Shastri Road, a youth brandishing a ‘long’ (machete-like weapon) in broad daylight created panic in the area, even as senior Police officials and Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel were conducting security sweeps and inspections.

The incident reportedly occurred yesterday shortly after SPG personnel and senior Police officers completed an inspection of Viveka Memorial and proceeded towards Ramakrishna Ashrama.

According to eyewitnesses, the youth, who had quarrelled with a female student, appeared on Narayana Shastri Road carrying the weapon. He was seen swinging it menacingly, triggering fear among passersby and students in the vicinity.

Students panic

Students who were eating pani-puri nearby fled in panic. Witnesses said the youth was initially seen near the compound of Marimallappa College before running towards a female student standing near the rear entrance of Maharani Pre-University College while brandishing the weapon.

The girl reportedly confronted him instead of fleeing. The youth allegedly struck her on the head five to six times with one hand while holding the weapon in the other. He then dragged her towards Jaganmohan Palace, continuing to assault her, eyewitnesses said.

After being dragged for some distance, the girl managed to free herself and moved towards the compound wall. At that point, three men arrived on a motorcycle and began speaking to the youth. Taking advantage of the distraction, the girl escaped into Narayana Shastri Road.

Some bystanders initially believed the incident was part of a film or social media reel shoot. However, the men speaking to the youth reportedly told them it was “just a brother-sister quarrel.”

When onlookers attempted to record the incident on their mobile phones, the youth snatched one of the devices, tucked it into his waistband and fled.

Eyewitnesses said the girl is a student of a private college. They claimed she had been speaking with another young man near the rear road of Maharani PU College when the attacker approached with the weapon, apparently enraged.

The young man reportedly fled before the attacker reached him, leaving the girl to bear the assault.