BJP's Annamalai slams DMK govt , says "Rape cases increased by 31% in Tamil Nadu"

Speaking to ANI, Annamalai said, "Child marriages have surged by 55 per cent in just one year, while crimes against women have increased by 8.3 per cent, with rape cases skyrocketing by 31 per cent."

"Tamil Nadu has seen a 55% increase in the number of child marriages in the past year... Crime against women has increased by 8.3% according to NCRB 2022 State of Crime Data, rape cases increased by 31%... Crimes against children have increased by 8.5%. The systemic failure is hampering the police from delivering justice to the common public, " he added.

Annamalai also criticized the state Education Minister's claim that the Central government's alleged denial of funds has left them unable to pay internet bills for education officers.

"Last week our Education Minister said that the Central government is denying funds so they are unable to pay internet bills to the education officers which we proved is wrong... This is a pathetic state of Affairs. The Primary Education Department gets Rs 44,670 crore and is not able to pay internet bill?" he said.

Annamalai further questioned why Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin isn't meeting with the press to address concerns about a recent alleged sexual assault case at Anna University.

"Why is the Deputy CM not meeting the press and answering our question? He (the accused) is a DMK member and has participated in multiple DMK functions, a known criminal and a former syndicate member of Anna University... The current syndicate member is also a DMK MLA," he said.

This comes after a second-year student of Anna University was allegedly sexually assaulted on the Anna University campus on December 23 night, Chennai Police said. One person has been arrested in connection with the case.

In her December 23 complaint to police, the student alleged that an unidentified man had threatened and sexually assaulted her when she was talking to her friend on campus on Monday around 8 pm. (ANI)