Boy who was assaulted by mother's partner 'very critical': Pinarayi Vijayan
Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday that the condition of a seven-year-old boy who was assaulted brutally by his mother's partner last week was "very critical".
The boy was left with a cracked skull after he was hit with a stick allegedly by his mother's partner when the Class II student was trying to protect his younger brother from being beaten up. The incident occurred in Thodupuzha area of Iduki district last Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the boy, who is being treated at a private medical college hospital at nearby Kolenchery, Vijayan said the boy was "very critical" and was fully on ventilator support.
The chief minister held discussions with the medical team at the hospital on the boy's health and the treatment given to him. He had also directed the hospital authorities to ensure all possible expert treatment to the boy.
The government has constituted a medical board to monitor the boy's health and is bearing the expenses of the child's treatment. Vijayan had also sought an immediate report from the Idukki district authorities on the incident.
The accused, Arun Anand, 36, started kicking and beating the victim's four-year-old brother as a punishment for bed-wetting at 3 am. When the seven-year-old tried to protect his younger brother, Anan allegedly hurled the child on the ground, smashed his head against a wardrobe and used a walking stick to beat him up.
The boy suffered skull fracture, internal bleeding and lung injury, besides cuts and bruises all over his body. His brother also sustained injuries all over his body.
Anand has been arrested and booked for attempt to murder. The woman's husband died 10 months ago, after which the Anand began staying with them.
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Stalin claims DMK secured 1.54 crore votes
Chennai (PTI): DMK president M K Stalin on Tuesday, in a veiled reference to the TVK, claimed that the party that won additional constituencies has gained only 17.43 lakh more votes than the DMK.
He was referring to the April 23 Assembly polls where the DMK and its allies secured 74 seats, with the Dravidian party netting 59 constituencies.
In a statement, Stalin said, "the percentage difference in votes between us and them is just 3.52 per cent," in an apparent reference to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kahzagam emerged victorious in the polls, the results of which were announced on Monday.
Claiming that the DMK alliance has secured 1.54 crore votes, Stalin said, "I consider each and every one of your votes as an invaluable token of trust".
Stating that DMK has been in power several times, he said "there is no victory we have not seen and there is no defeat we have not faced".
"Whether in victory or defeat, those who regard them equally and continue their journey toward their ideals are the comrades of the party", he said adding "you are the lifeblood and roots of the movement".
"The harvest of 1.54 crore votes is the fruit of your commitment", he said.
"What return can I offer for your hard work? With the feeling of being the chief worker, we will continue our journey," the DMK chief added.
Stalin said "if we are the ruling party, we will formulate schemes for the people. If we are the opposition party, we will fight for the people's demands. In that regard, now as a strong opposition party, we will continue to work for the people".
Asserting that the DMK will continue the journey of taking forward the policies of the century-old great Dravidian movement, protecting race, language, and nation, the DMK leader said "in our journey, I will not leave anyone behind. We will win again".
