Kerala: Left women leaders want government to act

Thiruvananthapuram: Disturbed over the increasing incidents of sexual abuse and custodial excesses in Kerala, prominent leaders of Left women’s organisations have asked the LDF government to adopt a proactive and zero tolerance policy against criminals and wrong doers in khakhi. CPI leader and general secretary of National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) Annie Raja said for the past decade and a half Kerala has been witnessing a spurt in sexual atrocities against women and children.  

“The factors behind such crimes need to be examined thoroughly.  Nothing less than a zero tolerance policy against such crimes is required to send out a strong signal,” she said. She said police refusal to register complaints of victims was totally unacceptable.   “The cops guilty of such inaction should be dealt with sternly. If a woman or a child is subjected to heinous crimes and the cops fail to act then they have no right to remain in the system. They need tobe chucked out immediately,” the NFIW leader said.

Raja said the LDF government needed to self critically examine the steps being taken to check violence against women. “The government needs to send out a strong message that it cares for the safety and security of women and children,” she added. Kavita Krishnan, secretary  All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) said the Kerala government should walk the talk. “Incidents of sexual assault against women and children, moral brigade going berserk on the streets of Kerala and police excesses against weaker sections are on the rise. The government has to act tough,” she said.