CPI(M) suspends 6 party workers in Ker for attack on house of girl under obsevation for COVID-19

Pathanamthitta (Ker), Apr 9 () The ruling CPI(M) inKerala on Thursday suspended six party members for allegedlypelting stones at a house where one person was under homequarantine for suspected coronavirus.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had onWednesday lashed out the act of certain people who hadindulged in social media shaming of a girl's family for beingunder home quarantine.

"The house of a student who was under observation wasattacked. There was a social media campaign against thestudent and her family members. Her father had even received adeath threat. The girl had filed a complaint with me onTuesday seeking protection for her life. It is reported thatthe attack was in retaliation to this complaint. Strong actionwill be taken," Vijayan had said.

The district committee of the CPI(M) on Thursday saidthe attack on the student's family was an "inhuman act".

"It was found that certain party members were alsoinvolved in this attack. The party members Rajesh, Ashokan,Ajesh, Sanal, Naveen and Jinson were suspended from the partypending enquiry," the district committee said.

There was a social media campaign against the student,who was under observation, and her family and they hadapproached the chief minister against this on April 7.

The police had on April 8 arrested three of theaccused and let them off on bail.

"We had arrested three of them. We are also lookinginto the allegation regarding the social media campaign,"police told ''.

Vijayan had said strict action would be taken againstanyone "irrespective of political party affiliation" and "suchacts will not be tolerated".

He had also urged the people to remain vigilantagainst such acts.

"The people, along with the police must come outstrongly against such acts. We must also isolate those who doengage in such activities and remain vigilant during thepandemic," Vijayan had said. RRT SS