Cyber attack against Shailaja: IUML activist booked

Kannur (Ker), Apr 17 (PTI) Amid the high-octane poll campaign in Kerala, an activist of the Indian Union Muslim League has been booked for allegedly making objectionable remarks on social media platforms against K K Shailaja, senior CPI(M) leader and candidate for the Vadakkara Lok Sabha seat.

The New Mahi police here registered a case on their own against Aslam, a local functionary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), following criticism against the intense cyber attack against Shailaja.

IUML is a key member in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

Shailaja is trying her luck from the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat against Congress' Shafi Parambil and the BJP's Praful Krishna.

While the ruling CPI(M) alleged that the objectionable campaign was held with the knowledge of the UDF candidate, the opposition front has rejected the charges.

"We registered a case on our own against the accused the other day under Section 153 of the IPC and 120 (O) of the Kerala Police Act," a police officer said.

An investigation is going on, and further action will be taken soon, he added.

Allegations of cyber attacks and apprehensions about bogus voting have marred campaigning in Vadakara constituency, where two sitting MLAs--Shailaja and Parambil -- are vying for the seat.

While the CPI(M) alleged that the UDF has launched a vicious cyber attack against Shailaja, who was also the former health minister of the state, Congress moved the Kerala High Court seeking action to prevent bogus voting in Vadakara in the Lok Sabha elections.

The CPI(M) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Parambil, alleging the cyber attack is being carried out with the knowledge of the candidate and false campaigns are being conducted by morphing photos and editing conversations.

In a statement, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat condemned "the shameful sexist language" used against Shailaja. She alleged that it was done by the Congress candidate's social media team in Vadakara.

However, the Congress on Wednesday continued to rubbish the charges of malicious campaigning against Shailaja by UDF activists and said the ruling party was trying to cook up stories as the election campaign is nearing the final stage.

Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan sought to know if the ruling LDF had lodged a complaint in this regard with the Chief Minister, Election Commission, DGP and SP last month, why has CM Vijayan not taken any action in this regard so far.

The UDF has never encouraged the practice of insulting women or the opposing candidates, he told reporters in Panur near Kannur.

The LoP also cited the example of various women leaders of the Congress and UDF who had been subjected to cyberattacks allegedly by the activists of the ruling CPI (M) and the LDF in the past.

Although the women MLAs of the UDF, K K Rema and Uma Thomas, came in support of Shailaja, they alleged that there was no response from the Left leadership when they came under cyberattack from the Left supporters.

They said objectionable campaigns against women cannot be accepted at any cost.

They also criticised CM Vijayan and the Home Department for allegedly not taking any stringent action against those responsible for targeting women through the social media. PTI