ALAPPUZHA: V S Achuthanandan was a tough leader who fought for justice in cases of violence against women. The fight for justice for women started in the Nehru Trophy Ward of Alappuzha. It was VS who brought to light the sexual abuse case which the government tried to cover up.

It was on November 2, 1970, that brutal attack happened. A sexual abuse case involving cops. The case the government tried to cover up was brought before the people of Kerala by VS. Four women agricultural workers were sexually abused by eight policemen in the Nehru Trophy Ward. VS came to know about this through a telegram. It was then 1 am in the morning. However, he did not wait for the dawn.

He immediately left for Alappuzha from Thiruvananthapuram. He reached the spot and directly asked women about it. He then returned to Thiruvananthapuram to attend the assembly session. He came to the House on November 3 with an adjournment motion. This is how he revealed the information: 'According to the telegram I received at around 1 am last night, I went to Alappuzha and made a direct inquiry, and I am telling you the information I got.' The house was shocked to hear what VS said. The then home minister C H Muhammed Koya replied to the motion that the government would take the matter seriously and take action. Finally, a case was registered against all eight policemen.