CPM threatens assaulted woman, family

KOZHIKODE: A day after Kodenchery Kallathramed CPM branch secretary Thampi Thettalil and five others were arrested in connection with the attack on a pregnant woman, the CPM has rallied against the victim Jyolsna Sibi and her family and threatened to attack them again. The CPM alleged that their local leaders were arrested on a fake complaint. Jyolsna’s four-month old pregnancy was aborted following the injuries she suffered after the attack by neighbours Prajeesh Gopalan, his mother Sarasu and local CPM leaders over a land dispute on January 28.

Jyolsna’s husband Sibi, from Velamkod Lakshamveedu colony, said that her uterus may have to be removed, and that she would not be able to conceive again. A container lorry driver in Kochi, Sibi is not in a position to resume his job, leaving the family vulnerable to attack. Party men raised threatening slogans in front of the police on Sunday, said Sibi. “We are living in constant fear of being attacked again. I am in no position to leave the family and we are banking on the shops that give groceries on credit,” he said. Meanwhile, Kerala Women’s Commission on Sunday directed the Kozhikode rural district police chief to give protection to Jyolsna Sibi’s family.