All India Women’s Democratic Association (AIDWA) Tamil Nadu general secretary P Suganthi said Puducherry administration should provide adequate protection to the family of Vinodhini, who was killed in an acid attack by a stalker in Karaikal, in November last year
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Suganthi said the accused was now out on bail and allegedly poses a threat to the family of the victim, who succumbed to her grievous burn injuries in a private Chennai hospital on Feb 12 this year, after battling for nearly three months.
Charging that police acted favourably for the accused, Suganthi said the victims’ family had already received calls from the convict’s family and steps should be taken to cancel the bail.
V Balasubramanian, president of Pondicherry State Students and Parents Welfare Associationon, on Sunday urged the government to take steps to cancel the bail of the accused.
Suganthi further suggested that colleges and schools should form committees to enquire into the reported charges of sexual abuse.
The panel, consisting of district level officers of various departments and police, should inquire into the charges immediately and forward the report to police and education department authorities, she said.
Suganthi said Puducherry administration should provide adequate protection to the family of Vinodhini.
She said the police and other officials should be given adequate training in various recent laws like Protection of Children from Sexual Offences ( POCSO) Act to book cases against the culprits.
This was needed to increase the conviction rate in crimes against women.
The conviction rate stands at a mere 26% per cent at the national level, she added.
She said any interference or influence in the performance of duty by a policeman cannot be ignored and the police force should realize their accountability to the law in the discharge of their duty especially in dealing with rape cases, acid attack cases, charges of stalking etc.
Suganthi said Puducherry administration should implement the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in the Union Territory. She said this was needed to curb the spurt in violence against women and school, college students in the UT in recent months.
AIDWA TN general secretary Suganthi urged the Puducherry government to appoint a chairperson for the UT’s Womens’ Commission, which is not functioning.