Kerala: Bullies continue abuse as panel awaits police report

Thiruvananthapuram: As the Kerala State Women’s Commission is awaiting a report from the district police chief, Malappuram, on the online harassment faced by Jazla Madasseri, who was part of a flash mob flash mob at Tagore Theatre coinciding with 22nd IFFK here, the girl and her family continue to be targeted by cyber bullies. Ms Jazla said that she received threats from within the state and abroad, and the threats include burning to death. 

“Most of them were internet calls,” she said. “I am fed up, but I am not going to commit suicide.” She said her father, who is a secretary of a local mosque, mother, her elder sister who is married and younger brother were not spared. “What is most unfortunate is that they are trying to mix religion with my performance with transgenders. I hope the police would arrest them.”An MBA student in Bengaluru, Ms Jazla had moved the commission and the police seeking action against the perpetrators and protection to her life. 

The girl, who hails from Manjeri in Malappuram, was part of the protests by Facebook group Kerala Freethinkers Forum against the cyber attack on three Muslim girls who performed a flash mob in Malappuram to create awareness against AIDS. When its video went viral, more than 500 cyber bullies targeted her on Facebook. Women’s panel member Shahida Kamal told this newspaper that Malappuram DPC Devesh Kumar Behera is expected to submit the report before December 24. 

Ms Kamal said the commission had initiated a preliminary probe on her complaint and found most of the Facebook accounts were created just to hurl abuses on Jazla and were deactivated. “Accordingly the commission sought a report from Malappuram SP which on December 13 as the majority of the cyber bullies targeting her also belonged to her home district,” she told DC.

Meanwhile, Museum circle inspector K.S. Prasanth said the police had registered her complaint and details are awaited from the cyber police examining the Facebook accounts from which she received threats. “It will take a few more days. We’re sure that they would nail them,” he said.