BJP's Rajasekharan on hunger strike for justice for Walayar rape victims

Kerala BJP leader Kummanam Rajashekharan on Friday (November 1) observed a day-long hunger strike in front of the state secretariat here demanding a CBI probe into the rape and death cases of two minor sisters in Walayar in Palakkad district.

The BJP leader, who was the former Mizoram governor, addressed his party workers at a demonstration here, during which he lashed out at the CPI(M)-led LFD government for its “criminal negligence” in the case. The fast is part of the 100-hour hunger strike launched by the BJP on Thursday over the death of the minor sisters.

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He also criticised the state Women’s Commission Chairperson, M C Josephine, saying she is not concerned about women’s safety. Meanwhile, activists of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) waved black flags at A K Balan, Minister for SC/ST Development, in front of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation office on Friday.

Protests had also broken out at many places in Kerala after the acquittal of the three accused by a POSCO court last week citing lack of evidence in the case.

It may be recalled that the two sisters, aged 13 and nine, were found dead in two separate incidents in Walayar in 2017. Their post-mortem report had revealed they had been sexually assaulted. The police had arrested the three accused, V Madhu, Shibu and M Madhu, and booked them under the Protection of Child against Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

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Earlier, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran had demanded that the case be reinvestigated by an ‘impartial agency’. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala had also alleged that there is a deliberate attempt to save the accused.

On Thursday, the parents of the two girls had also met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking a CBI investigation into the case. The opposition Congress-led UDF had also disrupted proceedings on the first day of the 16th session of Kerala Assembly and staged a walkout, demanding a CBI probe.

Bowing to public pressure, Vijayan had assured the opposition that the government would seriously consider their demand.

(With inputs from agencies)