Kerala

Police

The Additional District Police chief has been asked to conduct a session on appropriate conduct for all ministerial staff members before March 20.

Sreedevi Jayarajan

Kerala’s Idukki police has issued a unique circular to its entire force, ordering all officers and staff to refrain from addressing each other disrespectfully. “It is very pathetic to notice that most of the ministerial staff members are behaving with their colleagues in a disrespectful manner and addressing each other in colloquial ways as ‘Eda’, ‘Poda’, ‘Edi’, ‘Podi’ (sic),” read the order issued by Idukki Superintendent of Police KB Venugopal on March 1. The order also emphasised that henceforth all ministerial staff members of equal rank must address each other as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’. “The officers in above rank may also address the subordinate or below rank officers only by their names and avoid using native words such as Eda, Poda, Edi, Podi,” the second point in the order stated. The necessity for the circular arose as complaints of ministerial staff members resorting to addressing each other colloquially while on duty came to the notice of the Chief of Police, a local source told TNM. A series of events that occurred in recent times had also prompted the Idukki police chief to issue the order. According to the source, a Facebook post in which police officers from a station in Idukki were found abusing each other did the rounds last month. “A few officers from a station in Idukki had got into a fight. Following this, they had put up posts addressing each other disrespectfully,” the source added. The order also observed that most of the District Police Office (DPO) staff are reluctant to address police officers as ‘Sir’ and are addressing them by their names without considering their service seniority or rank. “The police personnel shall also address the ministerial staff as ‘Sir/Madam’ according to their service seniority,” the order further stated. Don’t salute for ‘silly considerations’ The order also stated that several senior police officers, even above the ranks of Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, were offering salutes to the staff for getting ‘silly considerations’, and that this was shameful for the entire police force. It asked police officers to approach the Additional SP or the District Police Chief of Idukki if they were not receiving proper service from any of the sections/seats of the DPO. “If any police officers have complaints on service matters, they can contact the ‘Police help desk’ functioning in the DPO,” the order read. Session on appropriate conduct to be held Idukki’s Additional District Police chief has been asked to conduct a session on morale/behaviour for all ministerial staff members. The session must be conducted before March 20, 2019, the order stated. The order also said that staff, including class-IV employees and part time sweepers, were seen to be addressing senior officers by their names and said that this was not allowed. Further, all junior clerks were instructed to be at their desks during work hours. Leaving the office early was not allowed, the order added. KB Venugopal clarified that the order had been issued with the intention of improving the overall functioning of the stations as well as of Idukki’s police force. Also read: Finally, Kerala cops decide to be civil to public: To address all as sir, ma'am, friend

Body 2:

Resignation

Difference of opinion with some of the personal staff of the Chief Minister is learnt as the reason for Nalini Netto’s resignation.

TNM Staff

Nalini Netto, who was the Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, resigned from her post on Tuesday. A difference of opinion with some of the Chief Minister’s personal staff was learnt as the reasons for her resignation. Some reports also said that important files were not handed over to Nalini because of the alleged cold war between the CM’s personal staff and her. According to a Mathrubhumi report, some high profile files pertaining to a tax payment of Harrisons Malayalam Limited, one of the largest producers of tea, and that related to the opening of certain quarries were not handed over to Nalini. It was reportedly being managed by some members of Chief Minister’s personal staff and this created tensions between them. However, according to The Hindu, some government officials said that Nalini had sought permission to resign from the post earlier because due to personal reasons. Nalini’s resignation comes soon after MV Jayarajan quit his post as the private secretary to Chief Minister. He has now assumed the charge of Communist Party of India (Marxist) district secretary in Kerala’s Kannur district. Nalini Netto, who was the first woman Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, was the IAS officer of 1981 batch. She was earlier the Chief Secretary under the Pinarayi Vijayan government. After retirement from the Chief Secretary post, she was soon appointed as the Chief Principal Secretary in 2016. Reports also said that Nalini Netto had informed about her resignation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the office staff on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, she submitted her official resignation letter to the Chief Minister. A few months ago, Chief Minister’s economic advisor Gita Gopinath had resigned from the post as she was appointed as the Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). No appointments have so far been made in the post of economic advisor to the Chief Minister.

Body 2:

Crime

A total of 13 persons have been arrested so far. Police are on the lookout for one more accused.

TNM Staff

Kochi police arrested six more persons on Tuesday over the murder of 33-year-old Jibin Varghese, who was killed for allegedly having an extramarital affair with a married woman. A total of thirteen persons have been arrested so far in connection with the case. The arrested include prime accused Anees (34), who is a resident of Aluva in Ernakulam district. The other arrested include Vazhakala resident Azeez (47), Kakkanad native KA Nizar (30), Vazhakala resident KP Salam (42) and Kakkanad residents, KP Hasainer (37) and UH Shihab (33). According to a Times of India report, the arrested will be produced before court on Wednesday. The arrest comes a day after Kochi police arrested seven others who were involved in the crime. The police are now in search of one more person who was also involved in the crime. Jibin was murdered over an alleged love affair with a woman in the family of one of the accused persons. After murdering the victim, the accused had staged an accident scene at Vennala-Palachuvadu road in Kochi to cover up the crime. The incident occurred just a day after the new city Police Commissioner, S Surendran had taken charge in Kochi. Police officials who reached the Palachuvadu road where Jibin was found dead, immediately suspected that the accident was staged. The investigation officers were divided into 20 teams headed by the city police commissioner. According to police, one of the accused persons had invited Jibin through the woman’s WhatsApp account. Based on investigation, it was found that Jibin, who hailed from Kakkanad, had visited the house of one of the accused Aseez at 12 midnight on March 9. He was then beaten up after being tied to a staircase in the house for about two hours, which led to his death. He was later taken in an auto and dumped on a road near Palachuvadu. Read: Kerala man killed over alleged extramarital affair with married woman

Body 2:

Crime

Meanwhile, the accused, Ajin Reji Mathew, has been arrested for attempt to murder.

TNM Staff

Kavitha Vijayakumar, the 20-year-old who was set on fire in broad daylight by her stalker in Tiruvalla, continues to remain critical and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam. “With a serious stab in the stomach and 65% burns, which is deep, the girl’s condition is becoming worse,” the official spokesperson of the hospital told TNM. The woman was initially taken to a private hospital in Thiruvalla, where the incident took place but was transferred for expert treatment in Kochi by Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the accused, Ajin Reji Mathew, will be produced before the Pathanamthitta district court on Wednesday. The Tiruvalla police, who are investigating the case, recorded the arrest of the 18-year-old Ajin on Tuesday night under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Ajin, a resident of Kumbanad, was taken into custody by the police on Tuesday morning soon after the crime occurred. The incident took place around 9.30 am on Tuesday when the victim, a student at the Tata Institute of Medical Sciences, was on her way to the college. Following a heated conversation between the accused and the victim near Chilanka Junction in Thiruvalla, Ajin emptied two bottles of petrol on the victim and set her on fire. The bystanders came to the girl’s rescue and helped put out the fire. While some rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, others caught Ajin and handed him over to the police. In his statement to the police, Ajin said that the two were in a relationship and that they studied together in school. Although the police could not take the complete statement from the woman as she had, by then, lost consciousness, she managed to confirm that the two studied together in school.

Body 2:

Politics

Congress MLA Anil Akkara filed a complaint against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI (M)’s Alathur candidate in Palakkad PK Biju.

Shiba Kurian

Ten priests in clerical clothing, sitting in the front row and listening to the Kerala Chief Minister, who is addressing a gathering at a political event in Palakkad - this picture, according to the Congress, stands in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Pointing this out, Congress MLA from Vadakkanchery Anil Akkara has filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, Teeka Ram Meena. The model code of conduct has been in force since March 10. Pinarayi Vijayan was speaking at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) meeting at Rolex Auditorium in Vadakkanchery, in Palakkad district, on Tuesday. In addition to CPI (M)’s Alathur candidate PK Biju, the event was also attended by a group of priests from a Christian denomination. The picture of the priests at the function was published in newspapers and shared on social media platforms as well. “The priest attended the event in their robes, which is a religious symbol. At the election convention, the Chief Minister appealed to extend support to the LDF candidate to ensure the latter's victory. The priests attending and acknowledging a political campaign is a religious symbol and violates the election code of conduct,” Anil Akkara, who represents the Vadakkanchery constituency, said in his complaint. According to the MLA, a few members from a Jacobite church in Vadakancherry wanted to meet the Chief Minister to submit a request regarding a church-related issue. “A few CPI (M) leaders in Vadakkanchery and in particular Minister AK Balan told the church members to meet the Chief Minister directly at the LDF convention and submit the request. When the priests arrived at the venue, they were made to sit in the front row. Instead of letting them meet the CM at his office, they were asked to come to a political event," Anil Akkara told TNM. In his complaint, Anil Akkara has asked the CEO to take action against Pinarayi Vijayan and PK Biju as prescribed under the law and as per the Representation of People Act 1951, which calls for the disqualification of lawmakers for offences in connection with elections. TNM asked N Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, if religious leaders attending a political event is a violation of election code of conduct. “This can be interpreted in two ways,” he said. "Somebody can take the view that the very presence of a religious leader sends a message to the followers that he is for the party and that the party is for them as well. Another way to look at this is that as an individual, you have every right to attend any political party’s event. This is a little dicey scenario; let the Commission decide,” explained Gopalaswami. Incidentally, in 2014, the LDF and the BJP filed a similar complaint with the Election Commission against United Democratic Front’s (UDF) candidate Shashi Tharoor for violating the model code of conduct. The complaint was filed based on a video recording released by a regional news channel, which said that more 60 pastors and Shashi Tharoor had met at the latter’s residence and offered money for votes. The report claimed that the Congress leader appealed to the religious leaders to convince the people in their community to vote for him. The channel also released an audio clip of a pastor saying that he attended the meeting and that the priests were given money, although he did not take money. Shashi Tharoor, however, refuted this. He said that the channel had previously made false accusations against him, which prompted him to file a complaint about them to the Election Commission.

Body 2:

Protest

While the Kolkata-based contractor has promised to settle the full dues in two days, the workers remain sceptical.

Neethu Joseph

Molly*, a sanitation worker at Ernakulam Junction Railway Station comes all the way from her home in Alappuzha district every day for work. But since yesterday, Molly has been sitting outside the railway station without attending to her work. Molly is one of several contract sanitation workers of the railway station who have boycotted work in protest, demanding that the salaries due to them be paid. The workers, who are mostly women, hail from various parts of Ernakulam district, and some are even from the neighbouring districts of Alappuzha and Thrissur. For the past two months, the contract labourers have not received any salary for the work they do. And for some of them, it has been about three months since they received any payment. Talking to TNM, the workers rued their pathetic situation of not getting salaries, which are as meagre as Rs 466 per day. Asha*, a resident of Kodungaloor in Thrissur district, told TNM, “I leave my home at about 4.30am every morning to reach the railway station by around 6am. For the past three months, I have not received my salary. I don’t even have the transportation fare to come to work every day.” The situation is no different for the 67 other cleaning staff here, out of which four are men. Ernakulam Junction Liji*, a native of Paravur taluk in Ernakulam district was on the verge of tears while describing her every-day toil despite the low salary. “I am one of the staff who clean railway tracks at the station and it is often disgusting to clean the garbage that is there. And I do this for the little salary that I get, to support my family, but now, even that money is not there. If there had been another option, I would not have continued the job here,” said Liji. A Kolkata based firm which has contracted the sanitation workers at the railway station is responsible for payment of their salaries. Apart from the issue of salary, the workers are also distraught with certain work policies. “I have been working here for the past 10 years. When I first joined, our daily wage was Rs 100. But none of us have any basic health services of ESI (Employees State Insurance). Since the contractor is from West Bengal, we have been registered for ESI services there, so we cannot avail its benefits here in Kerala,” said Poornima*, another staff who has been undergoing treatment for a fractured bone. Presently, there are just four permanent workers in the sanitation staff at Ernakulam Junction railway station. According to the protesting contract staff, permanent sanitation workers get triple their salary, about Rs 35,000 per month. “We do hectic work in three shifts starting from 6am in the morning, but they come in at around 10am and work till around 5pm or 6pm. Our workload is also more, but regardless of this, we are paid very less. We wouldn’t have been complaining about these issues if we had at least received our salaries on time,” said Poornima. The shift timings are from 6am to 2pm, 2pm to 9pm and from 9pm to 6am. “Usually, there will be around 25 people in a shift. But nowadays, because of the recurring salary issues, people skip work for daily wage work elsewhere. Even on days where there are just 10 or 15 of us, railway officials make us do all the work without giving us any additional money,” Liji said. Contractor promises to settle dues in two days, but workers sceptical An official of Ernakulam Junction railway station told TNM that the contractors had promised to give the pending salary of workers in two days. “When we contacted the contractor, it was found that they had some financial crunch. But when we explained the situation here, they promised us that pending salaries will be paid soon,” said the official. However, protesting sanitation remain skeptical regarding the promise made by the contractor. “Last December, when we went on a similar strike for due wages, they had given a similar promise that everyone will get salary within a few days. But only a few of us received money and that too, not the full amount. So this time we are not going to be fooled by fake promises,” said Liji. The workers have decided to continue the strike by boycotting work until the due salaries are paid in full to all the employees. Meanwhile, representatives of the Railway Contract Catering and General Workers Union (RCCGWU), have also come forward and expressed solidarity with the cause of the sanitation workers. “These workers do not even get primary medical allowances like ESI. We will give a complaint to the Labour Commission regarding this issue at the Commission’s next sitting on March 18,” secretary of Ernakulam RCCGWU, Suresh told TNM. *Names changed

Body 2:

Interview

“The CEO must explain how discussing Sabarimala violates the basic procedures of the electoral campaign. It’s this particular officer’s opinion, not that of the EC,” said Kummanam.

Korah Abraham

Saritha S Balan

Pic: Sreekesh Raveendran Nair.

Former Kerala BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan is back to state politics. He quit the post of the Governor of Mizoram to be back in the state, where he has based his political activities over the years. Kummanam is most likely to be the BJP candidate from the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram seat. He spoke to TNM on his return to state politics, his expectations from the Lok Sabha elections among other things. What made you return to state politics? Do you think the local BJP leaders are not strong enough to deal with the state’s affairs? The state of affairs in Kerala is in bad shape. In all sectors, the administration is a total failure. A change is essential in such a situation, the people desire it. Their longing for change forced me to come back to state politics. So it was your decision, not the party's? It was a suggestion on my part, which the party’s central leadership approved. So do you think leaders of the party like state President PS Sreedharan Pillai are incapable of exposing the government's failure? They are also leaders, they are also in the leadership. We are a team with a common goal. They are all capable, there is no question of failure of one person. Is it confirmed that you will contest from Thiruvananthapuram? Not yet confirmed, the party will decide that. But are you interested? I am interested in politics. Not in electoral politics? Politics is politics; you can involve in elections, or take a responsibility within the party. Which are the constituencies that the party will focus on during the elections? I am only a former president, there is a party state president and core committee to decide that; it is an internal matter. I have just returned and I’m going to involve myself in the party activities. Which are the seats you anticipate the BJP to win? We are contesting the elections to win all 20 seats. In my opinion, there is enough chance for the NDA in all seats. The atmosphere in the state is ripe for a change. Within a month’s time, we will gear up to defeat the other two fronts. People will reject the UDF and LDF. What contribution have they made to state politics after ruling for so many years? There is total failure in the farm sector, there is no employment. It is mostly Kerala youth who are going outside the state for a job. There are no jobs here, no factories in the private sector, and no flourishing industries. The NDA is strong enough, with PC Thomas and BDJS (Bharath Dharma Jana Sena). But there is already a split in the BDJS? It is very minor. The BJP didn’t win a single seat in the recently held bye-election for local polls. What do you have to say? But even if we count the votes that the BJP got, they could be viewed as people’s support for the BJP. There are reports that BJP General Secretary K Surendran is not happy with the probable candidate list, is there a rift in the party? This you should ask Surendran himself. The Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala said Sabarimala should not be made a topic of religious discussion during the election campaigns. How do you view this? The CEO must state how discussing Sabarimala violates the basic procedures of the electoral campaign. It’s this particular officer’s opinion, not that of the Election Commission. He has not given any basic evidence for this argument. Secondly, how can he say that it creates communal animosity, when Sabarimala is the centre of communal harmony and secularism? Irrespective of caste, creed, religion, language and state, people are coming there. PS Sreedharan Pillai, the state President of the BJP, in a party meeting said that Sabarimala is a golden opportunity. Even some of the BJP leaders have voiced this opinion? Yes, it’s a public issue. The people of Kerala are concerned about the Sabarimala issue and they are agitated and tensed regarding the issue. So many people were subjected to police lathi charge and many were jailed and it is such a situation which has to be discussed during the time of elections because it is a human rights violation. It is a question of religious freedom. But banning women from entering the temple is also a human rights violation, right? Do you honestly believe that the BJP/right wing organisations in Kerala did not use this issue as a religious tool? Every religious institution has its own do’s and don’ts. And we did not use it as a religious tool. Every religious head was standing with the Ayyappa devotees. Because in other religions also, this kind of an issue can happen in the future. What right does this secular Government have to interfere in a temple’s affairs? It’s a question of the faith of devotees. We are challenging the stand taken by the Kerala Government. A secular Government is taking a stand in the matter of faith of a religious community. That is the main point here. The government is saying it’s a question of gender equality. And also, if it is a question of gender equality, then why is the electoral officer saying it will violate the election procedures here? But the BJP, which is in power in Maharashtra, didn’t object when the ban on women’s entry was lifted at the Shani Shingnapur temple? The situations are different. We can’t generalise all the issues. I’m not well versed with the situation in Maharashtra, I shall study it. As far as the situation in Kerala is concerned, each and every temple has got its own traditions and customs. The final word regarding these traditions and customs can only be taken by the tantris. So there is a procedure and system in every temple. The Government is not consulting with the tantris and they are taking unilateral decisions. If they are at all particular about the judgment of the court, then why are they not taking any action regarding the use of flex boards, which the High Court had passed an order against recently? Do you think the situation could have been managed better if you were here as the BJP state president? I don’t think so. Here, the people are able to lead the society and they have won. There is an active, dynamic leadership in Kerala and I never felt that my presence was essential here. What are the political factors that would work against the LDF and the UDF in the coming elections? They are using the faith of the general public in Kerala, day by day. I don’t think there are any claims that the LDF and UDF can make? But the Modi Government has given more than 56,000 crore rupees for Kerala in the form of various schemes. Will you come back as BJP state president after the elections? It’s not up to me to decide that. We are a democratic party and we will take the decision together, later on.

Body 2:

Interview

In a brief interview to TNM, Mullappally also said that the CPI(M) has a big leadership crisis in the state

Saritha S Balan

The Congress is yet to finalise its list of candidates in Kerala for the Lok Sabha elections. The party’s Kerala leadership had met Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi with a probable list on Monday. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Mullappally Ramachandran, however, asserted that there was no reason as such for the delay. In a brief interview to TNM, he also claimed that the CPI(M) has a big leadership crisis in the state and that its senior leader and candidate for Vadakara, P Jayarajan, was a big fraud. He also said that he anticipated that the Congress-led UDF would win all the 20 seats in the state. “We were keen to finalise the list on Monday but couldn’t as the Congress president had to decide on nearly 100 candidates. The delay in coming out with the list each time is not because of any reason as such. Congress is a big party and we have to complete many formalities,” Mullappally said. When asked whether the CPI and the CPI(M) have an edge in the campaign since they have already declared their candidates, the Congress leader said, “Can’t say that they have an edge. Unlike the Left parties, the Congress is a national party.” But isn’t Left the ruling party in the state? “What about Tripura and West Bengal, the CPI(M) is just a small party elsewhere in the country. After the Lok Sabha elections, the party will lose recognition at the national level,” Mullappally claimed. There are four sitting MLAs in the party’s probable candidate list, including former chief minister Oommen Chandy. About fielding sitting MLAs, Mullappally said the party hasn’t taken a final decision yet. “It doesn’t mean that we didn’t field sitting MLAs in the frame. We have tried this earlier and succeeded too. We don’t see any reason for not fielding sitting MLAs, in the first place. The second reason is what right does the CPI(M) have to flay the Congress for considering sitting MLAs to be in the election foray. Now let me ask the same question to them – why have they fielded sitting MLAs? Clearly there is a leadership crisis in the CPI(M) in the state, otherwise they shouldn’t have fielded criminals, they should not have fielded people who don’t have any Communist background,” the Congress leader said. Mullappally asked, “P Jayarajan is an accused in murder cases, isn’t this a major issue, being accused in a murder case? I have been reiterating that if several other cases of murder and violence were thoroughly investigated, there could be evidence against Jayarajan’s involvement in them. He is not a small fraudster.” So will Jayarajan’s candidature affect the Congress’ chances in Vadakara? “Yes, it will affect our party positively because the people of Vadakara are peace-loving.” Talking about fielding Oommen Chandy or VM Sudheeran, Mullappally said he is for fielding both equally. “That’s my personal opinion, it doesn’t mean that the party has decided so. It’s for the high command to take the final call and also for Sudheeran and Chandy to decide.” Does the Congress not have fresh faces as it is seen to be relying on senior leaders like Chandy, Sudheeran, Mullappally and KC Venugopal, and most of the leaders reiterate that they are not interested in contesting the elections? “Don’t interpret it like that, they are very experienced people, their service is required in Delhi, they can perform as excellent cabinet ministers, they have long years of experience as good administrators. Oommen Chandy is one of the best chief ministers the state has ever produced, can you deny this fact? That experience we would like to use at the national level.” Mullappally believes that the UDF will win all the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state. He said, “My anticipation is that UDF will win 20 out of 20 seats.” What about the rift in the Kerala Congress (M), an ally of the Congress, over the candidate for the lone seat allocated to it? “I spoke to KC (M) chairman and working chairman, and hopefully the issue will be settled amicably,” the Congress leader said.

Body 2:

Lok Sabha 2019

The Chief Electoral Officer says there is no complete bar on speaking about the Sabarimala issue, but the gag order is on using it on religious lines.

Saritha S Balan

Can an election campaign that has high stakes for three parties completely exclude a contentious topic like Sabarimala that has dominated the political narrative of the state for months? Kerala Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Teeka Ram Meena’s directive to political parties imposing restrictions while using the Sabairmala issue during election campaign could become complex, as it would require thorough monitoring by the Election Commission (EC). The CEO says there is no complete bar on speaking about the issue, but the gag order is on using it on religious lines. This then leads to the question of what constitutes a remark that will not irk or instigate a particular section of society. The CEO convened a meeting of representatives of the three major political fronts in the state- the UDF, the LDF and the NDA in this regard on Wednesday. The BJP, a party that has used the Sabarimala debate to drum up support against the Supreme Court and the Kerala government said that they were happy there was no blanket ban by the Election Commission on broaching the subject. “We are happy that we have the right to discuss issues related to Sabarimala like police action, the stand of the government. Though we have been asked not to use Sabarimala to instigate religious sentiments, it can be discussed just as we talk about Babri Masjid, Ayodhya, the assassination of Gandhi or triple talaq. But we don’t have the right to seek votes using the name of Lord Ayyappa. This is part of code of conduct. Sabarimala can’t be used to distort peace. We definitely have the right to say that the faith and customs of Sabarimala were breached and the government had supported that,” BJP state President PS Sreedharan Pillai told media persons after the meeting. Sreedharan Pillai also questioned why Sabarimala cannot be spoken about when leaders of all parties speak of contentious issues like Babri Masjid demolition. "Asking us to not speak about Sabarimala is a violation of our democratic and fundamental rights. The Kerala CM had said yesterday that Babri Masjid was destroyed by people with evil intentions, he can say that, so why is there a differentiation when it comes to Sabarimala? Ayodhya, Muthalaq, Church Act… all these are related to faith. We know our limits while speaking about these issues and won't violate laws,” he said. CPI (M) leader Anathalavattom Anandan who represented the LDF in the meeting said that the party had never intended to face the elections using Sabarimala as the main plank. “The Election Commission has not given permission to seek votes in the name of God or places of worship. Our focus is the failure of the Modi government in these five years. It is the BJP and the Congress that bring in Sabarimala. The government is with the devotees, it is the non-believers who blocked the devotees and did propaganda to reduce the revenue of the temple,” he said. Congress leader Thampanoor Ravi represented the Congress. He said that the UDF will discuss all current issues in the elections. “UDF is a secular and democratic front, we will discuss all issues concerning people. Sabarimala will be one of the issues,” he said. Calling the election a secular process, the CEC quoted the Supreme Court judgment in Abhiram Singh case of 2017 to the parties. "No one should use religion or caste to invoke sentiments and those who try to disturb the process will be in violation of the model code of conduct,” the CEO said while briefing media after the meeting. He added, “Sabarimala can’t be used for soliciting votes. Sabarimala is also a temple, if somebody uses the name of a temple or mosque it is clear violation. I have made it clear to political parties and they are very clear about it. The responsibility lies on them now." When asked if a picture or video of police action in Sabarimala in election campaign would amount to violation, he said, "Let us see.” Read: ‘Kerala will reject UDF and LDF, NDA strong enough to defeat both’: Kummanam to TNM

Body 2:

Crime

21-year-old Anandhu Gireesh, a native of Konchiravila in Thiruvananthapuram, was abducted on Tuesday evening by two persons who came in a car.

TNM Staff

News 18 Malayalam

The body of a youth, who was abducted from the Karamana area in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday was found near a bike showroom near Kaimanam on the Karamana - Kaliyikkavila national highway on Wednesday. According to a report by the Deccan Chronicle (DC), the Kerala police have taken two persons into custody with regard to this case. As per a report by Asianet News, 21-year-old Anandhu Gireesh, a native of Konchiravila in Thiruvananthapuram, was abducted on Tuesday evening by two persons who came in a car. The two persons who have been taken into police custody have been identified as 19-year-old Balu and 21-year-old Roshan, both hailing from the Neeramankara area in the district. Reports state that a clash had occurred between Anandhu’s group and another group from Neeramankara during the Konchiravila temple festival on Tuesday, and this is believed to be the reason behind the crime. The news of Anandhu’s abduction came to light after one of his friends received a phone call from Anandhu’s number informing about the same. Soon after this, Anandhu’s mobile phone was switched off. As per the DC report, when Anandhu’s body was discovered, it was found that the nerves of his hands were cut. According to the report, the place where his body was found is known to be a hangout spot of drug peddlers and users, about which the police have received complaints from locals in the past. Because of this, the police are also investigating into the possibility of whether the crime was committed under the influence of drugs. Sanjay Kumar Garud, the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner told Asianet News that there was no failure on the part of police in investigating the case, and they had begun the investigation the moment they were notified about his abduction.

Body 2:

Gender Violence

Kavitha sustained 65% burn injuries in the brutal attack on broad daylight in Pathanamthitta district, and is critical.

Neethu Joseph

Dreary sobs of a woman echoed through the long corridor, a few floors below the burns unit at the Ernakulam Medical Centre, where 20-year-old Kavitha Vijayakumar is fighting for her life. Kavitha was set ablaze by a stalker – 18-year-old Ajin Reji Mathew – a few days back on her way to college. And while her parents hope and pray as their daughter struggles in the burns ward, even the staff at the hospital are in tears looking at the family’s plight. Kavitha, who has sustained 65% burn injuries in the brutal attack on broad daylight in Pathanamthitta district, was shifted to a specialist hospital in Kochi on Tuesday evening for better treatment. Her condition is getting worse and the family is beating themselves up for ignoring the signs of harassment from her stalker Ajin. “How could something so terrible happen to her?” cries Kavitha’s mother over phone and falls back on her bed in the waiting room at the hospital. Outside the room, away from her mother’s desperate sobs, Kavitha’s grandfather speaks dismally to himself. “She informed us about a boy who was harassing her. We, however, did not take it seriously then as she mentioned it in passing,” Kavitha’s brother-in-law, Vikas, tells TNM, “But we did not imagine it would turn out to be this serious and tragic.” Vikas adds that Kavitha seemed distressed since last week. “She was gloomy most of the time and even used to switch off her phone or keep it on silent. It is only now, after the incident, that we are able to make sense of what she told us and understand why she looked anxious. It was probably this boy she was trying to tell us about. If she had explained to us what was happening, maybe we could have intervened and averted the tragedy,” he says. Kavitha’s father is a daily wage labourer. A native of Ranni in Pathanamthitta district. Her father had relocated to Tiruvalla with his family years ago, to give his daughters a better education. Kavitha’s elder sisters work in the medical field. “And like her sisters, Kavitha, too, has been pursuing a course in the medical field,” Jith, a family member, tells TNM. “The family lives in a rented house. Her parents did everything to ensure all three daughters received a good education. They just got one of the daughters married off, a month ago,” he says. Since Kavitha has sustained 65% burns in the attack, the hospital authorities said that Kavitha’s condition remains extremely critical and she is still on the ventilator. Her parents, who have very little means to support themselves, are now struggling to make money for her treatment. Meanwhile, the family intends to file a complaint against Ajin, who has been arrested for attempt to murder. “We are ready to go to any extent to ensure our girl gets justice. We did not file a complaint yet because right now, our primary concern is to save her,” another family member says.

Body 2:

Water Crisis

Authorities say that they are doing everything they can to deal with increasing demand for water, but residents should adopt water conservation practices like rainwater harvesting.

Korah Abraham

Image for representation

Residents in some areas of Kerala’s capital city have found themselves in a difficult position. Parts of Thiruvananthapuram are facing shortage of drinking water. However, the crisis is not a result of the onset of summer, but an issue regarding the terrain of the district. With the population and buildings in the city increasing steadily, the water supply has taken a hit. And it is the people who live in elevated areas who are most affected. The lesser the water, the tougher it is to pump to elevated areas. Neenu, a resident of Sasthamangalam area in Thiruvananthapuram tells TNM, “As we live in an elevated area, the pipe lines are not able to pump water till our houses. There are around 10 other houses in our area that are also facing water shortage for over a month now,” she said. “I met the MLA, officials of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) and even the MD of KWA, who asked us to look for another option. So, we dug a borewell in our house,” said Neenu, adding that she is exhausted, running to pillar to post for this. Some other areas affected in Thiruvananthapuram district are Kesavadasapuram, Kowdiar, Sasthamangalam and even Cliff House, which is the official residence of the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. TNM also contacted Bindu Sreekumar, the ward councillor of Sasthamangalam, who said that they are setting up new pipelines in that area and that the condition is gradually improving. “There are 10 to 11 houses in my ward that are severely hit by water shortage. We have been trying every possible way to improve the situation. The corporation along with KWA tried everything. Since it's not working, we have set up a kiosk in that area,” she said. The kiosk has a capacity of 11,000 litres and has been set up for the 11 houses suffering from water shortage in that area. “The people can’t say that we haven’t done anything. A kiosk of 11,000 litres won’t come just like that. KWA is trying everything they can to pump the water,” argued the councillor. However, residents are still upset. “Aren’t we also humans? Don’t we need water? We’re also paying tax just like everyone else and all we’re demanding for is a basic necessity - water!” questions an enraged Neenu. Kesavadasapuram is another area in the district which is facing a similar crisis. Speaking to TNM, Stephy George, the area’s ward councillor, said that many of the houses situated in elevated areas of her ward receive water only for a few hours at night. “I approached the KWA officials with this issue and they said that we have to make the residents understand that water is limited,” said Stephy. The Kesavadasapuram councillor added that facing the brunt of this crisis are mostly people who are living in rented places in the second or third floors of a building, till where the water is not reaching. “We are not even asking for 24 hours of water supply now. All we want is proper water supply for at least 6 hours in a day,” Stephy states. Vinod, a resident of Vyasa Nagar in Kesavadasapuram said that the KWA has set up a water tank in their area in case of emergencies. “We get water for a few hours at night, but during the day, we can use the tank water in case of emergencies,” he said. Vinod goes on to say that they have been facing this issue for more than 4 months now. Population and development Speaking to TNM, Ajitha Devi, the Executive Engineer of the KWA said, “The main problem is that the population is growing, the water resources are limited. People should understand when the users increase, there will naturally be a shortage of supply,” she said. Ajitha said that there are three water treatment plants at the moment in Thiruvananthapuram and they are trying their best to increase the amount of water that is being pumped to different areas. “But every month, around 1000 new connections are coming up. At the moment, all we could do was to regulate the supply of water.” Ajitha also stated that by March 2020, a fourth plant will come up in Aruvikkara, which will improve the situation. “Many other projects are also being planned in the next three years and we’re positive that things will improve.” She also urged the citizens to be aware of the situation and take to water conservation methods like rain water harvesting.

Body 2:

Health

As summer sets in, doctors tell TNM how to keep yourself safe against these mosquito-borne fevers.

Dr. Nimeshika Jayachandran

Image for representation.

A 7-year-old boy from Kerala was recently diagnosed with the West Nile Fever. This illness, which is caused by the West Nile virus, is transmitted to humans via mosquito bites. The mosquitoes get the virus through infected birds. While the West Nile fever is relatively unknown to the region with only a few sporadic cases being reported in the past year, there are several other mosquito-borne illnesses which one should be wary of, as summer approaches. “West Nile Fever is very rare. The boy has been started on supportive treatment and is being monitored,” says Dr Sakina K, Malappuram District Medical Officer (DMO). “It is not usually seen and this is a one off case. Person to person transmission is not possible, so people should not get worried unnecessarily.” The West Nile Virus is spread through infected mosquitos. No vaccine currently exists, so all treatment is generally based on the symptoms that the person shows. Malaria is one of the most commonly seen cases of vector-borne diseases which are seen throughout the year, with several doctors stating that they do see a spike in cases around summer. “This year, there have been a lot of activities done to raise awareness about malaria,” explains Dr Sakina, adding, “As a result, we are hoping that there will be less cases seen this year, but we are prepared to treat anyone who may present with it.” One of four different malarial parasites can cause malaria: Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malaria and Plasmodium ovale. Most commonly seen cases of malaria in south India tend to be either of the vivax or falciparum type. The female Anopheles mosquito is the one which acts as a vector for the disease in humans. When an infected mosquito bites an individual, the infection gets passed on. “The most commonly seen symptoms of malaria are high grade fever, lasting for more than a week, along with chills,” adds Dr Sakina. The diagnosis is based on certain blood tests which will determine the presence of a malarial parasite. Treatment involves giving medications which target the appropriate parasite. A recently conducted survey showed that the threat of another mosquito borne illness looms over parts of Kochi. Dengue is transmitted to people by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It can cause high grade fever, chills, bleeding of the gums and bruising under the skin. Blood tests help confirm the diagnosis. In most cases, people are given supportive treatment according to the symptoms they present with. “We also monitor their platelet levels, because it is usually the drastic drop in platelets that leads to severe complications,” says Dr Sakina. She advises that most people take preventive measures to keep mosquito breeding to a minimum. “Don’t leave standing water outside. Stagnant water attracts mosquitoes which can then lay their eggs in there and this again turns into a cycle.” In addition, she recommends that people take all necessary precautions against mosquitos through the use of protective clothing, repellant and mosquito nets.

Body 2:

Moral policing

The students say that male students too had joined the seniors’ trip, but they were not reprimanded.

Cris

Image used for representational purpose only

Two young women in Wayanad’s Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University are having a tough time after they decided to join their seniors who were on a tour in Goa. The issue was raised when they had left for Goa after writing in the ‘movement register’ of the college hostel that they’d be going to Alappuzha for a wedding, and that they had apparently drank beer and created trouble in Goa. The college dean has set up an inquiry committee to investigate the matter and one of the girls’ parents have been informed. When TNM contacted the girls, they had a different story to tell. The girls – Tina and Lina (names changed) – one of them in the second year and the other in the third year – had left the hostel last Friday to go to a friend’s sister’s wedding in Alappuzha. They wrote in the hostel’s movement register that they were off to Alappuzha. On reaching Kozhikode, however, they changed their plans. Their senior batch from the college had been on a tour and was ending it in Goa that weekend. The girls got invited to join them there and so they chucked the wedding plan and reached Goa the next morning. They called their friends at the hostel to make a correction in the movement register – and it is this “correction” that would be questioned later. “We met the seniors (in Goa) and went out with them to Baga Beach, spent time with them and returned to the hotel by 10 or 11 in the night. It seems an assistant professor saw us there and immediately alerted our hostel’s assistant warden. The assistant warden then called a GB (General Body) meeting in the hostel, as they sometimes do when there is something to be discussed, and described our trip to the other students in a bad light. Some of the girls at the hostel, who were present for the GB, called us to ask about it, and that’s when we learne it has become an issue. The assistant warden also called one of our parents,” says Tina. Both the girls had not received any calls for an explanation until then, Tina says. The girls immediately called the assistant warden to ask why they were insulted in this manner. “We said we are in Goa and she said why tell me all that. Some of the boys from the men’s hostel too had joined the senior batch’s excursion – as boys have done in previous years too – but the problem was about two girls going there,” she says. The story that is doing the rounds is that the girls consumed alcohol and created an issue, which Tina denies. “There were no issues in Goa,” she says. The matter was reported to the college dean and apparently, an enquiry committee has been set up to investigate the issue. The dean, when contacted, was not available for comments. They were asked to bring their parents if they wanted to come back to the hostel. “We didn’t do that, we just came back anyway. I was asked for my parents’ number and I said I wouldn’t give it, as there was no need to call them. But they had called Lina’s parents,” Tina says. Lina appears to be in a state of distress when TNM contacts them. “My parents – coming from a very conventional background – would freak out even if they hear that I have been to Goa, forget the rest of the details. But an anonymous caller had told them about the issue here and asked them to take me home if they didn’t want their daughter to be in trouble. So they have come here now,” she says, even as she tries to resist going home with them. Lina's parents want her to remove the Facebook post she had written about the assistant warden. “The assistant warden had a problem with us because we would raise our voice against some of the injustices here. Both Tina and I get grants and this would come to the assistant warden’s account; but she would keep it in her bank for several months before giving it to us. When we ask her about this, she would behave badly. So when she heard that it is the two of us who went to Goa, she wanted to get back at us,” Lina alleges. Tina, too, reckons that this is perhaps retaliation for the earlier times the girls had reacted to some of the stances taken by the hostel. “The curfew for the girls’ hostel is 7 pm and for the boys’ hostel it is 9.30 pm. Once when a few girls came back late, they were made to stand outside the gate. They (hostel authorities) say that the curfew is for the security of the girls. If that is the case, why would they keep the girls outside the gate so late – isn’t that unsafe?” Tina asks. The movement register, Lina says, has been a mere formality so far that no one had even taken it seriously. “It is not written in the hostel rules put up on the wall. The register is from 2013 and it is not even half full – that shows how many girls even bother writing on it. Now they are making a big deal of this correction," she adds. The girls are firm on their stand that they want the assistant warden’s resignation.

Body 2:

Human Interest

None of them have been able to go back to Karimchola hill where they used to live, as each of the eight houses that was there has been demolished in the landslide.

Saritha S Balan

Sareena was performing her morning prayers on June 14, 2018, when she heard a loud noise. And before she even realised what had happened, her house fell. Her husband Salim, and their three children were the house. Salim tried to stop a big slab from the ceiling from falling on the children, and injured his spine. Three-year-old Shabanas died on the spot, and 13-year-old Dilna Sherin on the way to the hospital. Nine months after the first flash floods and landslides hit Kerala, and later turned into a deluge, Sareena, Salim and their only child who survived, 13-year-old Shammas, are struggling to pick up the pieces of their lives and move on. None of them have been able to go back to Karimchola hill where they used to live, as each of the eight houses that was there has been demolished in the landslide. “They died where they were sleeping, my innocent kids,” Sareena says, “What did they know? They knew nothing. It’s haunting us every moment of our lives – and the pain increases when I see my son Shammas is now alone.” “I tried... I tried to take out my kids who were sleeping in the same room, but before I could take them out…” Sareena stops abruptly. “At that point, my son screamed,” she continues, “the scream still echoes inside me. Later, I heard that my daughter was breathing when she was taken to hospital. But she couldn’t be saved,” the mother says. Salim, Sareena and Shammas live in a small rented house in Punoor in the same panchayat, Kattippara. Salim, who used to work in Saudi Arabia, is badly injured on his spine, and will perhaps never be able to return to Saudi for work. For most of the last nine months, he has been bed-ridden. It has taken him this long to even be able to sit up, and will taken at least a year more to go back to work, the doctors have told the family. “I am advised by the doctors that I shouldn’t lift weights or do anything that strains my spine. I won’t be able to start working anytime soon, it will take months. Even if I am back to work, how will I be able to go back to Saudi?” he says. The house in Karimchola was built with all the savings that the family had while Salim worked for 11 years in Saudi. Now, the family has bought six cents of land in the Panchayat for which the Kerala government has released Rs 6 lakh. The state government on March 5 decided to provide government land of three cents to five cents to those who lost their homes in the floods, where Poromboke land is available. Where there is no land, the government is allocating money to buy land. The amount is only released when the land is purchased, as is the norm. The family will get money from the government for building the house only after a house is built. A part of the ex-gratia of Rs 6 lakh they got as compensation for the death of their two children, has been used to build the foundation for the house. “We bought land on the side of a road, we can’t risk buying land on a hill anymore,” Salim says, “but we don’t have any more money to finish the work on the house. We can only avail government assistance after we finish the rest of the work.” All his savings spent on the old house, and with no fresh income, Salim says he has nothing left. “My parents also used to live in Karimchola, too. They lived here for 50 years. But now, we have nothing left, not even soil…”

Body 2:

Solar Scam

Ernakulam Congress legislator Hibi Eden and former state Minister Adoor Prakash have been charged with rape.

TNM Staff

The Kerala police on Thursday registered an FIR against three Congress legislators, likely to be named Lok Sabha candidates, on a complaint of sexual misconduct. The woman, an accused in the multi-crore solar energy investment scam, has charged Ernakulam Congress legislator Hibi Eden and former state Minister Adoor Prakash with rape. Another former state Minister AP Anil Kumar has been charged with outraging her modesty. Hibi Eden has been charged under section 376 (rape) and section 354 A (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty). MLA Adoor Prakash has been charged under section 376 (rape), section 354 (A) and section 120 (O) (causing through any means of communication nuisance to any person) of the Kerala Police Act. MLA AP Anil Kumar has been charged under section 377 (unnatural sex), section 354 (A) (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and section 420 (cheating). The FIR has been filed in a special court in Ernakulam set up to fast track cases against legislators. According to sources, if an FIR is registered in the court, police can arrest the accused. While Eden is likely to be fielded from the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat, Prakash is being considered for either Attingal or Alappuzha, and Anil Kumar may get a ticket from Alathur. Eden termed the FIR a ploy to sully the image of the Congress and its candidates. "It is an issue for them to use politically," he said. Kochi-based solar company Team Solar Renewable Energy Solutions, floated by the woman and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, was accused of duping investors of crores of rupees for a solar power project. The scam dogged the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in 2013 with allegations that the woman could hoodwink investors because of her proximity to the Chief Minister's office. Then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's private secretary Tenny Joppan was also arrested in the case. With IANS inputs

Body 2:

Lok Sabha 2019

"Both the BJP/RSS and the CPI (M) use violence while the Congress fights violence with non-violence," said Rahul Gandhi.

IANS

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched the party's Lok Sabha campaign in Kerala by attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale deal and the ruling CPI (M) over violence in the state. Addressing a rally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Gandhi said that an ideological battle was on between the BJP and RSS on the one hand and the Congress as well as its allies on the other."The Congress party's voice is that of the country and is an instrument for the people because we listen to all and it's not the voice of 'one person' or of a particular community or religion," he said. "The Congress does not impose its thoughts on the people, but listens to all."The job of a Prime Minister is to listen to the 'Mann ki Baat' of the people and not to tell his 'Mann ki Baat'. He should have been humble to listen to the poorest of the poor. Had he asked people about demonetisation, they would have said it was nonsense," said Gandhi."Modi calls rich men like Nirav Modi and Adani as brothers whom he has gifted crores of rupees. One of his brothers was given all the ports in the country and he recently got six airports also, of which one is your airport (Thiruvananthapuram). "I assure you that when we come to power, we will draw up a minimum income for all and deposit money to all those people who fall below that line," said Gandhi. He said that a Congress government would ensure 33 per cent reservation for women in all legislatures. "We will also reserve 33 per cent of all national jobs for women." Taking on the CPI (M), he said he visited the homes of two young men who he alleged were killed by the Marxists."The CPI (M) thinks they can remain in power by killing people. No way. It's not going to happen. These two young men will get justice," said Gandhi."The only thing that the CPI (M) government can do is to engage in violence. Ten thousand families were affected by the floods. The government has done nothing for them. This government here does not do anything to create jobs. "We set up a minimum support price for rubber. This government removed it. The CPI (M) will take a little more time to realise that their ideology is a defunct one," said Gandhi."Both the BJP/RSS and the CPI (M) use violence while the Congress fights violence with non-violence," added Gandhi.

Body 2:

Crime

The court will be announcing the final trial date on March 20.

TNM Staff

The Additional Sessions Court IV of Kottayam will schedule the final trial date of the controversial Kevin Joseph murder case on March 20. On Wednesday, the court charged all 14 accused in the case with murder, following the completion of the framing of charges. The accused persons, including Shaun Chocko, brother of Kevin’s partner Neenu, have been charged with IPC sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 449 (House-trespass in order to commit offence), 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs 50) 506 (2) (criminal intimidation), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement) 364, 364 A (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) and 302 (murder). Special prosecutor CS Ajayan in the preliminary trial argued that a possibility of accidental drowning in waist-deep water was minimal as the victim, having grown up near the Meenachil river in Kottayam, knows how to swim well. He also added that there was strong circumstantial evidence to prove that it was culpable homicide. The prosecution had also produced 180 documents, 176 witnesses, records of phone calls made by three of the accused, DNA tests results and the three vehicles used for Kevin’s abduction as evidence, according to reports. The defence had argued that only section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) would apply in the case as Kevin had accidentally drowned while attempting to escape from the custody of the accused. The special investigation team which had probed that case had also charged the accused, including Neenu’s father and brother, with culpable homicide, kidnapping, conspiracy, breaking into the house, etc. among other sections. In May 2018, Kevin Joseph (23), a Dalit Christian boy from Kottayam who had fallen in love with Neethu (21), was found dead and floating in the Chaliyekkara river in Kollam. Kevin and Neenu had decided to get married and had applied to get their marriage registered, despite Neenu’s family’s opposition due to the boy’s caste. To coerce Kevin to return Neenu to them, a 13 member gang sent by the Neenu’s family abducted Kevin and his cousin’s Aneesh from their house in Kottayam, held them hostage, and finally murdered Kevin while he attempted to escape from their clutches. Fourteen accused including Neenu’s brother Shanu Chacko (prime accused) and Neenu’s father have been named in the case and the prosecution has argued the case to be a ‘caste killing’. The other accused in the case have been identified as Shanu’s friends Niyas Mon, Niyas Ismail, Riyas, Chacko (Shanu’s father), Manu Muraleedharan, Shifin Sajad, N Nishad, Tittu Jerome, Vishnu, Fazil Sherif, Shinu and Reneesh. The Kottayam Additional Districts Sessions court had ordered the proceedings of the case to be expedited to complete the final trial in 6 months. Also read: Kevin murder case: Why defence’s ‘accidental drowning’ theory is unviable

Body 2:

Controversy

Sreedharan Pillai stated that Tharoor’s second wife was a native of Adoor in Pattanamthitta district.

Korah Abraham

Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor on Thursday filed a criminal defamation complaint against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala state President, PS Sreedharan Pillai for statements he made during a press conference earlier this month regarding Tharoor’s wives. A source close to Shashi Tharoor confirmed to TNM on Thursday that the petition which was accepted by a Judicial Magistrate Court, will take the statements of the MP on March 23. He said that the case has been filed because the statements that were given by the BJP State President was false. In a press conference on March 5, which was held in the state capital, the BJP state president had said, “Everybody is asking how the three wives of the Congress candidate in Thiruvananthapuram died. But neither BJP nor I wish to ask that question.” According to Tharoor's complaint, Sreedharan Pillai stated that Tharoor’s second wife was a native of Adoor in Pattanamthitta district and the niece of lawyer Madhusoodanan Nair. Sreedharan Pillai, during his press conference, allegedly went on to say that this second wife used to approach him regarding legal advice. “I never revealed this before because I did not want to use such incidents as political tools,” added the BJP state president without mentioning Tharoor's name directly. BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai Later when the media questioned Sreedharan Pillai as to whether Tharoor’s three wives had passed away, Pillai said that two of them had passed away and one of them divorced the Congress MP. Shashi Tharoor was first married to Tilottama Mukherjee, who was a professor of Humanities at the New York University. Later he married, Christa Giles, a Canadian diplomat who was working for the United Nations. In this case, Sreedharan Pillai’s claims about Tharoor’s second wife being a native of Adoor are false and malicious, says Tharoor. In August 2010, Shashi Tharoor married Sunanda Pushkar in his ancestral home in Palakkad. However on January 17, 2014, Sunanda was found dead in her room in hotel Leela Palace in New Delhi under mysterious circumstances. The case regarding this is still going on. Speaking during a Manorama event, Tharoor said, "The state president of the BJP, Sreedharan Pillai, went so far as to invent an imaginary marriage to an imaginary person whom I have never met from a place I have never been to with the name of a father-in-law or someone whom I have never come across and claimed that I had driven her to suicide."

Body 2:

Crime

Kochi police are investigating the incident that occurred at Panampilly Nagar on Thursday night.

TNM Staff

Image for representation

Just days after a young Kerala woman was set on fire in broadlight in Pathanamthitta district, another horrific incident has occurred in Kochi. A man poured petrol over two women riding on a two-wheeler in an attempt to set them ablaze on Thursday night. Fortunately, the two women managed to escape safely. The incident occurred in the high-end residential and commercial area, Panampilly Nagar in Kochi. According to police, after the women began shouting, the man abandoned his plans to set them on fire and fled the spot. “The two young women were riding on a Scooty through Panampilly Nagar. Someone who came in a bike, stopped them and suddenly poured petrol on both of them. When the girls suddenly shouted, the guy fled the scene,” a police official told TNM. Both the women were taken to a private hospital in the area for primary treatment and are reportedly safe. Police have registered a case invoking section 308 (Attempt to commit Culpable Homicide). According to the police, the identity of the man in question remains unknown. “Since the woman also said they could not recognise the person, we are still enquiring about it,” said the police official. The women, who are from Kottayam district in Kerala and Ooty in Tamil Nadu, currently work in Kochi. On Tuesday, a woman from Thiruvalla was set on fire by an 18-year-old stalker. 20-year-old Kavitha Vijayakumar was stabbed during the brutal attack and sustained about 65% burn injuries. She is in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi.

Body 2:

‘No more ‘Eda Poda’, use only Sir/Madam’: Idukki police issues unique disciplinary order

Chief Principal Secretary to Kerala CM Nalini Netto resigns

Six more arrested for Kerala man’s murder over alleged extramarital affair

Condition of Kerala woman who was set on fire by stalker worsens

Pic of Christian priests at Pinarayi campaign violates code of conduct: Congress to EC

No salary for 3 months: Women rail sanitation staff at Ernakulam Junction go on strike

‘Kerala will reject UDF and LDF, NDA strong enough to defeat both’: Kummanam to TNM

Congress-led UDF will win all 20 LS seats in Kerala: KPCC president Mullappally to TNM

EC's missive to not exploit the Sabarimala issue during campaign, will parties abide by it?

Kerala youth abducted two days ago from Thiruvananthapuram found murdered, 2 held

‘We didn't think the harassment was serious’: Family of Kerala woman set ablaze by stalker

Thirvuvananthapuram water crisis: Residents living in elevated areas worst affected

1 case of West Nile Fever in Kerala: How you can guard against mosquito-borne diseases

Two Kerala female students take trip to Goa, face college's wrath for plans

9 months after losing 2 kids, their home to landslide, Kerala family struggles to move on

FIR registered against 3 Congress MLAs in Kerala solar scam

Rahul Gandhi launches election campaign in Kerala, attacks Modi, CPI (M)

Kevin Joseph death: All 14 accused charged with murder

Tharoor sues Kerala BJP leader for saying he drove another ‘imaginary wife’ to suicide

Man pours petrol on two women in Kochi, attempts to set them on fire