Coimbatore: Cadres from all political parties and social activists gathered in front of the Government Hospital demanding an immediate law against honour killings, compensation for the affected family and a Government job for the victim's kin.
Coimbatore: Cadres from all political parties and social activists gathered in front of the Government Hospital demanding an immediate law against honour killings, compensation for the affected family and a Government job for the victim's kin.
The protest comes in the wake of the recent attack in Mettupalayam on a young couple who were in love. The man was stabbed to death by his elder brother, while the minor girl was grievously injured, with caste bias being the reason for the murder.
Social Activist, Evidence Kathir opined that the Government was not accepting the fact that honour killings are on the rise in Tamil Nadu. "185 honour killings have been registered in the past five years. The West Zone has witnessed numerous killings and people have been tortured based on caste. Hence, a separate police team should be appointed to deal with such honour killings. The victim's family should be given 50 lakhs and one member in the family should be provided with a Government job. The Government should also declare Kongu region as a 'honour killing zone' and take appropriate action to prevent such cases in the future," he added.
According to reports, Vinod Kumar (24) and Kanagaraj (22) sons of Karuppusamy were living in Mettupalayam in a village near Sri Rangarayan Odai area. Over the past few years, Kanagaraj, a daily labourer who had been in love with Varshini Priya of the same area had frequent tussles with his elder brother, Vinod Kumar. The elder brother had warned Kanagaraj to end his relationship with the Dalit girl.
It is also reported that the lovers had eloped from their house three months ago due to stiff opposition from their parents. After mediation on both sides, the couple had returned to their homes but continued to be in the relationship. In this scenario, Kanagaraj's father Karuppusamy relented and consented to his son's desire to marry Varshini. He promised to get them married. Recently, the minor girl reportedly left her home again, with Kanagaraj taking her to his father who provided a rented home for them to stay in Vellipalayam, near Sri Rangarayan Odai in Mettupalayam. The father urged the lovers to lie low owing to the volatile situation among the families, and promised to get them married once emotions cooled down.
Vinod Kumar who discovered his father's plans to get the couple married rushed to the rented home in a fit of rage. The brothers had a heated argument which led to a scuffle. Unexpectedly, Vinod Kumar stabbed his brother Kanagaraj with a knife that he had brought hid under his shirt. He stabbed his brother multiple times and killed him on the spot. An infuriated Vinod Kumar also attacked Varshini on her head. Varshini Priya is under intensive care at the Coimbatore Government Hospital but is said to be out of danger.
Vinod Kumar has surrendered at the Mettupalayam police station, this morning. Police have been deployed in the area to avoid any caste flare-ups.