Anitha visits family of minor rape victim, vows severe punishment for accused

Avinash P. Subramanyam | DC
Tirupati, November 3

Home minister V. Anitha on Sunday visited the family of a minor girl who was raped and murdered in Alivelumanga Puram in Vadamalapet mandal of Tirupati district. She handed over an ex-gratia of `10 lakh announced by the state government and assured the grieving family of swift justice, pledging strict action against the accused and committing to support the family, including building them a home.

Condemning the crime, the home minister expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “The brutal attack on this innocent child is devastating,” she said. She added that the accused had allegedly lured the victim with a chocolate before committing the crime. “The government will not rest until the accused faces severe punishment. Steps are underway to ensure he is convicted within two to three months,” she affirmed.
Speaking to the media, Anitha said that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to expedite cases involving violence against women and children through fast-track courts. "The Chief Minister has directed that no stone will be left unturned in bringing justice to this family," she said, promising that police authorities would respond quickly to similar incidents in the future.
The Minister criticised the opposition YSRC, accusing it of politicising the incident for political gain. "It's unfortunate and disturbing that the opposition is attempting to exploit this tragedy. Where were they during similar incidents in their own tenure?" she questioned. Citing recent cases during the opposition’s administration, she argued that their lack of decisive action against such crimes in the past undercuts their current outcry.
"We are committed to creating a safer Andhra Pradesh. The current administration has undertaken significant reforms to strengthen law enforcement," the home minister said.

“Unlike the previous government, which allegedly allowed substance abuse to proliferate and neglected surveillance, the current government is working on strengthening security. She pointed to increased CCTV coverage state-wide, including in remote areas, and ramped-up anti-drug measures as part of efforts to curb crime.” “We’re cracking down on illegal narcotics with an anti-narcotics wing. Ensuring youth are protected from these influences is a priority," she said, emphasising that ganja cultivation has been significantly curtailed, with a focused campaign underway to eliminate the crop entirely. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, adding that the NDA government has consistently championed women’s welfare and safety.