Youth Congress workers burn effigy of Swetha Menon

November 3, 2013

Kollam (Kerala), Nov 3: Angry Youth Congress workers in Kollam district of Kerala burnt an effigy of Malayalam actress Swetha Menon after reports that police here had registered a case against MP Peethamabara Kurup for allegedly groping her.

Angry Youth Congress workers in Kollam district of Kerala burnt an effigy of Malayalam actress Swetha Menon after reports that police here had registered a case against MP Peethamabara Kurup for allegedly groping her.

Shouting slogans against the actress, party activists walked through the main road in Kollam and warned that they would continue their protests against her.

"She is one lady who, in a Malayalam film ("Kallimannu"), allowed scenes of the delivery (of a baby) to be shot," said a Youth Congress leader while addressing the activists.

"Yes, the police have registered a case, and that is as it should be. I'm happy that the police have taken up a case. Now, I will deal with it in the legal way," Kurup, a member of the Lok Sabha, told reporters after hearing the news that a case had been registered under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent of outraging her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code against him.

Earlier Sunday, the Kollam District Congress Committee rallied in support of Kurup.The actress has alleged that the lawmaker tried to grope her during a boat race in Kollam Friday, where she was one of the guests of honour.

On Saturday, she showed the "visuals" from TV channels, where the lawmaker was shown getting close to her during the boat race.

A team of four police officials from Kollam visited Swetha Menon Sunday at her flat here and recorded her statement of the sequence of events Friday.

After about 90 minutes, the police team left the house, but refused to divulge details to waiting reporters. The actress also refused to engage with the media and left for Bangalore with her family.

Sources close to the actress said she would also meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Tuesday, to file an official complaint.

"There was a huge crowd, and in a crowded place, some jostling happens. She complained after almost six hours. Nothing of the sort happened, as she claims," district Congress president Pratapa Varma Thampan said.

Kurup, who was also present at the conference with Thampan, did not speak much. He said he had already had a word with the actress and her husband.

"I do not wish to speak much, because the police is investigating the case," Kurup said.Meanwhile Ayisha Potti, a CPI-M legislator from the district, registered a complaint with district collector B. Mohanan through an SMS.

Mohanan has been facing flak, as the actress has claimed that she spoke to him immediately after the incident. The official, however, has denied that the actress approached him.

Mohanan responded to the CPI-M legislator's SMS, and asked the district police chief to make a detailed report of the incident.

"Both the chief minister and the home minister have failed to do their duty in taking quick action. Safety of women is a big issue in the state, and they are silent," CPI-M politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

Kurup, meanwhile, is reportedly seeking legal opinion to see if he needs to apply for anticipatory bail.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

Comments