Makkal Needhi Maiam’s women and children welfare coordinator, Sripriya, rallied with 300 others members of the party in Pollachi, at the sub-collector’s office in the town. The silent protest was to demand strict action against the four accused in sexual assault. The party also asked for the protection of the victims’ identities.
In a press release, Supriya was quoted as saying, “We have requested a female judge in this case. I’m repulsed to even utter the name of the culprit. We want the police to do a thorough investigation and ensure each and every person behind this crime is punished. We have also requested a special committee to be set up for the same. Our request to everyone is, consider the victims as your family members and ensure that their identity is protected.”
பொள்ளாச்சி பாலியல் வன்கொடுமைக்கு கண்டனம் தெரிவிக்கும் வகையில் மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் கட்சி சார்பாக திருமதி ஶ்ரீப்ரியா, திரு.சினேகன், திரு. தங்கவேல் ஆகியோருடன் ஏறத்தாழ 300 பேர் பேரணியாக சென்று பொள்ளாச்சி துணை ஆட்சியரிடம் விரைவாக விசாரணை நடத்த வேண்டும் என்று மனு கொடுக்கப்பட்டது. pic.twitter.com/Pw6SK0TE2O
— Makkal Needhi Maiam | மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் (@maiamofficial) March 12, 2019
The four people charged for assault, including the primary accused Thirunavukkarasu, have now been arrested under the Goondas Act. The accused persons’ mobile phones had videos of close to 40 women who were blackmailed and asked for sexual favours. The police believe that 15 other people are associated with the gang.
Other than a 19-year-old girl who filed the complaint against the four accused, no one has approached the police yet. One of the accused who allegedly threatened the girl’s brother against filing the case was AIADMK member A Nagaraj. After pressure from DMK and others, Nagaraj was suspended from AIADMK for his ‘anti-party activities’.
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He was arrested along with four others and later released on bail.
Politicians, celebrities, and the public have demanded stricter action against those accused. Makkal Needhi Maiam party head actor Kamal Haasan met the chief of police asking to speed up investigations.
In the last few months, MNM has invited women members to join the party. Recently, actress Kovai Sarala joined MNM at an event where actress Supriya, Kamal Haasan and other party members were present. She said they would work to ensure justice for women.