CPI(M) seeks legislation to curb 'honor killings'

Coimbatore, March 15: The central and state governments should bring in a legislation to take stringent action against those involved in 'honour killings', CPI(M) Tamil Nadu secretary G Ramakrishnan said here on Wednesday, March 16.

"Legislation to take stringent action against those involved in honour killings should be brought forward by the Centre and the state government," he told reporters here.

Replying to a specific question on the killing of a Dalit youth in Udumalpet in Tirupur district two days ago, he said the four-party People Welfare Front, of which CPI(M) is a part, had already sought such a legislation in its manifesto.

He alleged that several such killings had been reported in the state in the last three years and that the then Chief Minister O Paneerselvam had rejected the idea of bringing in a legislation, when MLAs pressed for it, claiming that there were no such incidents in the state.

"Without considering the political affiliation or vote bank politics, it is the responsibility of all parties to put an end to such heinous crimes," he said.

On the controversial GAIL gas pipeline project, he demanded that the Centre immediately change the areas through which the pipelines pass in agricultural land and take it along highways.

On alleged distribution of money in the run up to the polls, he said the Election Commission had not taken any action in the last assembly elections when CPI(M) cadres had seized and handed over money meant for distribution to voters.

He hoped the authorities would be more alert this time to prevent circulation of money.

PTI