Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday warned, those accused in cases of rape and other forms of violence against women, of stringent, demonstrative and deterrent action within 30 days of the incident.
He said this during Question Hour, when YSR Congress Legislative Assembly Member Narayanaswamy raised the issue of alleged gang-rape and murder of a woman shepherd belonging to the Scheduled Caste on Saturday evening in Penumuru of Chittoor District.
"I am warning anyone who indulges in such crimes that this Government will not tolerate such instances. The compensation was only to lend some comfort to the victim's mother. Enroute to Nellore district, I stopped over in Chittoor, spoke to the District Collector and Superintendent and ensured assistance to her," he stated.
The MLA alleged that Government, in its endeavour to cover up its inability to prevent such crimes, had within 24 hours of the offence, given the victim's old and ailing mother a cheque of Rs.5 lakh towards compensation. "Are we beggars? We want justice and want the Nirbhaya Act to be applied here," the MLA continued.
In response to Mr. Narayanaswamy's outburst, Women Development & Child Welfare Minister Peethala Sujata said that by using the word 'beggars' on 'Dalits', the MLA was insulting the weaker sections.
Deputy Chief Minister Chinna Rajappa reiterated that Government had reacted swiftly. "How can that be wrong ?," he wondered.
