Kerala: Collector asked to submit report in Kerala Dalit sisters' case

Kerala SC/ST Development Minister A K Balan has said that he has asked for a report from the district collector regarding the alleged harassment of two Dalit women at Thalassery in Kannur district.

"I deal with the issues related to SC/ST communities in the state in a proper manner and the people know it very well. If anyone has done anything wrong in this case, we'll deal with it sternly. My office has asked the Collector to submit a report," he said.

The Minister said that he will not allow anyone to crucify the SC/ST communities in the state.

Yesterday, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the arrest of two Dalit sisters at Thalassery in Kannur district.

Rahul Gandhi had called up N Rajan, father of the sisters and leader of Indian National Trade Union Congress, and Akhila, one of the two sisters who was put behind bars for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker.

Akhila and Anjana had been summoned to the police station on June 17, where a case was registered against them.

They were then sent to the women's jail after being charged with non-bailable offences.

They were released on Saturday.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman P L Punia had stated that it would intervene in the matter and take steps to ensure that justice was meted out to them.