'Government is supporting perpetrators, not victims'; KK Rema lashes out at LDF govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KK Rema MLA on Wednesday said in the assembly that incidents of violence against women and children are on the rise in the state. Lashing out at the state government, the RMP MLA alleged that the government often sided with the perpetrators even while claiming that it was standing with the victims.

"The government is claiming that it is standing with the victims. However, we have seen several incidents in the recent past where it supported the perpetrators," Rema said.

Veena George replied on behalf of the government in the Assembly in the absence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Rema was not impressed by this. She said that the Chief Minister's absence indicates the government's lack of concern about the growing incidents of violence against women and children.

"Why are the police not arresting the accused in the incident where a Dalit girl was attacked in Aroor? Is it because they are CPM workers? If the accused are party members, they are protected and supported by the government. During Kalolsavam, PJ Baby, a syndicate member of CUSAT, assaulted a girl in the green room. The girl first lodged a complaint with the party. As the party did not take any action, she filed a complaint with the police. The party is protecting the accused. Such issues are embarrassing for Kerala," Rema said.

"Rohit, a former SFI leader of the Sree Sankara college posted pictures of a student on obscene Facebook groups. Although the student lodged a complaint with evidence, the accused was released on station bail. The accused had posted pictures of several girls on obscene groups. In Thiruvananthapuram, a cricket coach sexually assaulted minor girls and demanded naked pictures from them. Such extremely shocking incidents are taking place in the 'Number One Kerala' ruled by the Left Front," she said.