League rift over sex scandal turns violent

Fighting within the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) sparked by the row over IUML leader P.K. Kunjhalikutty's alleged role in a sex scandal took a new turn yesterday with a group of IUML activists attacking the office of the Indiavision television channel here. A number of newsmen were injured and their cameras damaged.

Indiavision, which is under another IUML leader and Public Works Department Minister M.K. Muneer, became the target of the activists' wrath as the channel played a key role in highlighting the minister's role in the sex scam after one of the girls involved in the racket made some startling disclosures.

Kunjhalikutty and Muneer were reported to be at odds for some time and they were using the media under their control to give vent to their ire.

Like the Indiavision under the control of Muneer which first exposed the role of the Industries Minister, the Chandrika daily in which Kunjhalikutty has considerable clout has been attacking Muneer's pet project for the Express Highway linking Kerala's north and south.

Muneer has, however, denied that he had any role in telecasting the revelations of the girl. He alleged that a deep-rooted conspiracy outside the IUML had been hatched to destroy the party. The allegation against Kunjhalikutty implicating him in the Kozhikode ice-cream parlour sex scandal was part of this conspiracy.

''Such allegations are aimed at questioning the very existence of the party and we will meet it unitedly,'' he said, adding that he did not feel that Kunjhalikutty should resign as minister.

Muneer also denied any role in the editorial independence of the channel. On swiftly telecasting the disclosures by Rajeena, the woman who alleged that Kunjhalikutty had sexually exploited her when she was a minor aged only 16, by the Indiavision TV channel of which Muneer was the chairman, he said: ''Indiavision is an independent channel and I have never interfered with its editorial independence''.

Kunjhalikutty, who is currently in Jeddah, told Indiavision over telephone that the attack could not be justified. He said he would not hesitate to take action against the attackers. He pointed out the need for media freedom in a democracy but added that this particular telecast on the sex scam was biased.

Rajeena showed up in the Indiavision office after rumours spread that she was missing for several hours. She pleaded that she be left alone and allowed to lead a quiet life.

At present, Rajeena and her one-and-a-half-year-old son agreed to go home with her mother. She was staying at the Short Stay Home run by K. Ajitha's Anweshi. Ajitha wanted Rajeena to be produced before a Court, but the police ruled out the demand saying there was no case registered against her.

Women activists like Sugathakurmari, Meenakshi Thamban and K. Ajita alleged that the investigations into the sex scam were left halfway through due to political pressure. They also pointed out that the girl had in her initial complaints mentioned that Kunjhalikutty had sex with her three times and she was paid huge sums to make statements denying any role of the minister.

Meanwhile, the girl in the Kiliroor sex scandal was reported to be critically ill. She was yesterday moved to Kottayam Medical College Hospital following the directive of Dr A. P. Kuruvila of the Surgical Gastroenterology Department of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

The girl, who gave birth to a baby girl, was supposed to undergo an emergency operation by a team of doctors from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital but it was put off considering her poor health. Her condition is said to be 'very critical'. It was reported that the proposed surgery was the last attempt to save the girl's life. The infection in her intestines has spread to the liver.

The team of expert doctors from the Kottayam Medical College Hospital who visited her earlier wanted to move her to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, but taking into consideration her poor condition she was shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital, averting a journey to the state capital.