KOLLAM:Barely four days after the alleged sexual assault and murder of a seven-year-old girl at Yeroor, the victim’s family was forced to vacate their home following ‘protests by people.’While the Kerala State Women’s Commission has decided to inquire the incident, with its director scheduled to take the statements from the police and residents, the police say the family evicted the house of its own volition.
“There were protests demanding the family shift from their home as they were allegedly ‘immoral’. The other day, some residents even submitted a mass petition with the Kollam Rural SP demanding the arrest of the family members alleging they too had a role in the girl’s death,” said Lekha Ajith, member, Thrikkoyikkal ward of Yeroor gram panchayat. Lekha said the family itself had expressed its wish to vacate their home ‘for a few days’ as their neighbours had turned against them.
Meanwhile, Yeroor Police said they had no role in the incident and the family itself decided to leave. “No one has filed a complaint against the family. We only intervened when some people tried to attack the girl’s family the other day. We brought the family members to the police station and upon their demand, called up their relative who lives at Kilimanoor and sent them with the person,” said a police officers.
In a statement, the Kerala Women’s Commission said the family members will be provided with adequate protection and security.The seven-year-old girl’s body was found last Thursday from RPL’s farm at Aishakunnu, near Kulathupuzha. The cops said the girl was sexually assaulted and strangled to death by her uncle Rajesh, 26.
KWC to take action
T’Puram: The Kerala Women’s Commission (KWC) has promised urgent action in the incident in which the family of the girl who was allegedly raped and murdered at Yeroor, were reportedly forced to vacate their house. In a statement on Monday, KWC said immediate corrective measures will be taken to ensure sufficient security for the victim’s parents. “The KWC director will take necessary follow-up in the issue. Details will be collected from the police and the local people,” the statement said..
Chennithala demands probe
T’Puram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded an investigation into the incident in whichthe mother and family of the Yeroor rape victim were forced to flee their house. Expressing shock over the incident, Chennithala accused the police of remaining mute witnesses when the victim’s mother and others were forced to leave the place. “A probe should be carried out into the incident and action taken against the culprits. Also, police protection should be given for the family to return home,” Chennithala said.