P.T. Thomas, Congress MLA from Thrikkakara, began a 24-hour fast here on Saturday demanding that the scope of investigation of the case relating to the abduction of a woman cine actor be expanded to cover all possible angles, including whether there was conspiracy behind the organised assault.
Mr. Thomas, who had called the Director General of Police seeking action against the perpetrators on the night of the attack, expressed strong reservations about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement that there was no conspiracy behind the attack and that all the accused had been nabbed by the police, maintaining that such preconceived notions would mar a fair investigation.
KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, who inaugurated the protest, said that the State witnessed a rise in crimes against women. He attacked Mr. Vijayan for curtailing the scope of the investigation, saying the CPI(M) wanted to create a feeling that the investigation in the case was over as all the accused were in police custody. Mr. Sudheeran demanded a thorough investigation without prejudice, pursuing each lead and probing everyone under a cloud.
The fast, which will end at 9 a.m. on Sunday, is part of the United Democratic Front campaign against the Left Democratic Front government citing rising instances of violence against women in the State.
