The reported incident involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of a minor girl subsequently left abandoned in a paddy field within the Aluva area on Thursday, has sparked substantial condemnation directed at the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, as well as the state's law enforcement agencies, with criticism emanating from both the Congress-led UDF and the BJP.
This distressing occurrence, occurring in the same locality just over a month after a similar incident, has prompted both the opposition UDF and the BJP to level accusations that the state of Kerala is failing in its duty to provide a safe environment for women and children. They contend that both the police force and the Home Department have fallen short in ensuring their security.
The UDF, in response to this disconcerting trend, has called for the government to relinquish power if it proves incapable of safeguarding women and children within the state. Simultaneously, the BJP has called upon Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to relinquish his hold on the Home portfolio.
Recalling the events of late July, when a five-year-old girl, the offspring of migrant laborers from Bihar, was abducted, subjected to sexual assault, and tragically lost her life at the hands of an individual hailing from the same state, one is reminded of the horrifying discovery of her lifeless body in a marshy vicinity near the Periyar River, situated behind the Aluva fish market. A person from Bihar, Asafak Alam, 28 years of age, had been apprehended and had confessed to this heinous crime.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, has asserted that the most recent incident unfolded a mere one-and-a-half kilometers away from the Aluva Palace, where Kerala's Chief Minister, Vijayan, was residing, ensconced within a cocoon of robust police protection. He has vigorously contended that this constitutes a glaring policing lapse and has lambasted the police for their inaction.
Moreover, Satheesan has highlighted a worrying trend of such incidents repeating themselves within Kerala, thereby categorizing it as a state where an increasing number of crimes target women and children. He believes that if the government cannot ensure the safety of these vulnerable demographics, it should acknowledge its inadequacy and relinquish its hold on power.
K Surendran, the BJP state president, has echoed these sentiments, characterizing the incident as deeply embarrassing for the state. He has alleged that even young children are not safe within Kerala and has called upon Chief Minister Vijayan to step down from his Home portfolio. Surendran has asserted that the safety of daughters within their own homes is now compromised.
In a scathing critique, Surendran has asserted that despite the Left government's ostentatious welcome of migrant laborers and their families, the state is failing to protect the latter's children. He has decried Kerala's transformation into a land marred by criminal activities and has even likened it to Rajasthan, which is governed by the Congress, in terms of incidents involving rape and sexual assault.
Furthermore, Surendran has alleged that criminals and drug cartels are running rampant in Kerala, with the police appearing dormant in their response. He has called for the state to emulate the stringent measures adopted by Uttar Pradesh in addressing such issues.
On a different note, V Sivankutty, the State General Education Minister, has expressed profound sorrow and shock over the incident, pledging comprehensive support to the child and her family, who hail from Bihar. The minister has affirmed that strict legal action will be taken against the perpetrator and has requested an immediate report from the Director of General Education on the matter.
