Chennai, October 31 — The women's wing of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) staged protests at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on Saturday, accusing the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of failing to maintain law and order, protect women and children and check rising prices of essential commodities in the state.

Source: The Hindu via Tech Word News

In north Chennai, DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi led the protest near a district collectorate. Protesters raised slogans against the government, carried sacks of rice, cans of cooking oil and other basic commodities to draw attention to rising prices, and held placards reading "Law and order has become a laughingstock" and "Wake up from your slumber, Mr. Minister!". Former ministers P. K. Sekarbabu and Poongothai Aladi Aruna joined the protest along with district functionaries, while in south Chennai the protest was led by women's wing leaders Vijaya Thayanban and Kanimozhi Somu.

"Kids in Tamil Nadu are not safe"

Addressing the rally, Ms Kanimozhi referred to cases of child abduction and alleged human trafficking and accused the government of failing to ensure the safety of children even in their homes. She also alleged that members of the ruling party were involved in kidnapping and selling children — a serious allegation that the DMK has not publicly substantiated with case documents in the reported coverage, and which is reported here as the party's claim, not an established fact.

"Please give every woman in Tamil Nadu a can of pepper spray," she said, alleging that the police and the government apparatus were failing to protect women, and suggested that pepper spray be distributed through ration shops to help women defend themselves. She also claimed that the prices of rice and pulses had doubled and that many families were struggling to afford even their daily food ahead of Deepavali — price claims made by the DMK at the protest.

In Coimbatore, the district unit of the DMK women's wing held a parallel protest the same day, Mirror Now reported. District secretaries Durai Senthamizh Selvan, Thondamuthur Ravi and Thalapathy Murugesan took part, along with Mayor K. Ranganayaki and Deputy Mayor Vetriselvan. Students' wing state secretary Veeramani alleged a marked deterioration in law and order, pointing to reported incidents of murder, robbery and sexual violence, and accused the administration of failing to keep its pre-election promises as commodity prices surged during the festive season.

Source: Mirror Now

The statewide protests came a day after DMK president M. K. Stalin, in a video message on October 30, criticised the TVK government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over law and order and rising prices and announced the women's wing protests for October 31, TNC News Plus reported. A response from the TVK government to Saturday's allegations was not reported in the day's coverage.

Source: TNC News Plus