India
National Commission of Minorities (NCM) issues notice to Pinarayi Vijayan regime to show for action taken. DYFI goons allegedly flashed in front of girls before beating them, abused them with expletives, vandalised the church
New Delhi: The National Commission of Minorities (NCM) on Monday issued a notice to the Left government in Kerala, asking chief secretary and DGP if any action was taken against the alleged CPM-DYFI goons who attacked and molested St Paul’s Anglican Church’s Christmas carol team and vandalised the church.
The Pinarayi Vijayan government has been given seven days starting Monday to file the action taken report in the matter.
Five Christian families have taken refuge in the church in Pathamuttam near Kottayam since December 23, when they were attacked allegedly by DYFI goons while carolling before Christmas. Families have alleged that they still fear for their lives and wellbeing, and have thus been forced to take shelter in the church.
The directive came in response to a complaint filed by Rev Father PJ Paulose Padikkaparambil and secretary of St Paul’s Church Johnson PC to NCM vice-chairman George Kurian, seeking his intervention.
Considering the gravity of the situation, Kurian directed the state to ensure the safe return of the victims to their homes and provide adequate security to their lives and properties. NCM also directed the state officials to take punitive action against the culprits under relevant sections of the IPC.
According to the complaint, five Christian families are forced to stay in the church owing to the death threats issued allegedly by the activists of CPI(M)/DYFI.
Yamia C Thankachan, a B-Tech student who sustained injuries in stone pelting, reportedly said that she could not even study or appear in exams due to fear of attack.
In the complaint, the church authorities alleged that a group of local CPI(M)-DYFI workers barged into the Christmas carol service being taken out by the church’s youth wing and women’s wing on December 23 at 8 pm, and disrupted the event by singing vulgar songs and using expletives against the girls. The carol team questioned them when they started flashing. Enraged, the DYFI workers molested the girls and physically attacked them.
The CPI(M)/DYFI workers then brutally attacked the male members of the team who came to protect the girls. The gang on the rampage also damaged the St Paul’s Anglican Church. The frightened women and children hid behind the altar to escape the attack.
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