The Ernakulam Rural police are on a special mission to ensure the safety of girls and young women going to schools and colleges. A special squad has been launched to nab eve-teasers harassing students outside school and college compounds.
The special team was launched after several complaints regarding incidents of sexual harassment outside schools and colleges were received. “There have been many instances where young men were found on motorcycles outside schools and colleges. They whistle at the girls, or pass comments and harass them,” said Aluva Deputy Superintendent of Police V.K. Sanil Kumar. After several instances of men harassing students on their way to and from school and college, the police have begun patrolling these areas in the morning and evening. “Police officers are stationed in uniform as well as in plainclothes. Plainclothes officers collect information and we detain the culprits based on that,” Dy.SP Sanil Kumar said.
The Rural police have nabbed 13 eve-teasers from near schools and colleges in Angamaly so far. About five men were also held from around women’s colleges in Aluva and Paravur. First-time offenders, though, are being let away with a stern warning that strict action would be taken against them if they were found in similar circumstances. A worse punishment for the youths, perhaps, is that the police are contacting their parents and letting them know what their sons were doing. Girls and young women, however, are finding the trip home from school and college a little better.
Accused finds 40,000 followers
Saritha S. Nair was first introduced to the people in Kerala as a suspect in a cheating case, who was an accused along with others in what came to be known as the solar scam. She, along with other accused, allegedly cheated people to the tune of crores of rupees after promising to install solar panels and stakes in wind farms. The accusations she made against politicians and others meant that news media hounded her every move for months together. The accused was released from prison in February this year after she was granted bail in the 40 cases she is allegedly involved.
Earlier this week, a page was created on social networking website Facebook, claimed to be the ‘official’ page of Saritha S. Nair.
The page listed her as an entrepreneur and gained over 40,000 likes in less than a week.
Thousands of users connected with the page owner by ‘liking,’ sharing, and commenting on the pictures and posts. Many of those who commented on the page seemed to have forgiven the accused for her alleged crimes and lauded her for her strength and courage.
There have been several fake profiles of the accused, each of which has several followers. None have gained as much popularity as the latest profile launched.