Row over jailing of dalit women

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition launched a concerted attack on the government over the arrest of two dalit women in Thalassery on Sunday while Chief Minister Pinarai women kept mum on the issue.

The women were arrested and sent to jail on charges of trespass into CPI (M) branch committee office and attacking party workers. Though there were released on bail the next day, one of them allegedly tried to commit suicide by taking overdose of medicines and was admitted to the intensive care unit of Indira Gandhi Cooperative Hospital at Thalassery.  Family members said that she was pained by abuse by party workers in the media.

The police maintained that whatever action taken is absolutely legal action. However, the Congress maintained that the women were called to police station and jailed along with a child and their arrest was unwarranted.

KPCC President V. M. Sudheeran, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala criticised the refusal of the Chief Minister to react to the police action, feigning ignorance.

Citing attacks on a library in Kannur and other incidents, KPCC President said that the criminal gangs were ruling the roots in the home district of the Chief Minister.