Protests trigger over rape, murder of Dalit woman in India

Widespread protests broke out in India's southern state of Kerala over the alleged rape and murder of a 30-year-old woman belonging to Dalit community, officials said Wednesday.

The woman, who was pursuing a degree in law was found murdered on April 28 in her house at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, about 220 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, capital city of Kerala.

Reports said body of woman bore multiple stab wounds with part of intestines pulled out, besides showing visible marks that she was strangulated, tortured and sexually assaulted.

The young woman was living with her mother (a casual labourer), who was outside the house on her routine work at the time of attack.

Dalits were previously known as untouchables in India.

Hundreds of people including women took to roads in protest, demanding arrest of the culprits and stern punishment to them.

Police officials said they have initiated investigations in the case to trace the guilty.

A sketch of the suspect has also been released by the police. Officials said three people have been detained for questioning.

The Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy described incident as "shocking" and promised arrest of the culprits.

"Kerala is shocked by the brutal murder of a young woman," Chandy said. "The culprits will be brought to book and the severest punishment will be ensured to those involved in the incident."

Chandy Wednesday morning met the victim's mother, who is under treatment at a hospital owing to her trauma and shock.

The chief minister was showed black flags by protesters outside the hospital.

Women's rights activists, Dalit groups and political parties have condemned the incident and demanded stern punishment to those involved in the brutality.

Later in the day, police resorted to baton-charging to chase the protesters, who according to them tried to break into office of a senior police official.

The issue also echoed at Indian parliament, which is currently in session.

The latest case is just one of the reported cases of sexual offence against women, which otherwise usually go unreported in India.

The incident has revived memories of a gang rape in 2012 in Indian capital New Delhi, which sparked mass protests and resulted in new anti-rape laws in the country.

However, brutal sexual attacks against women continue to be reported across India.

Indian government has ordered cell phone manufacturers to include a "panic button" in the mobile phones, which could make an emergency call and raise alarm.

"All mobile phones will have a 'panic button'so that if a woman is under some kind of threat, she can use the button and alert the police," Indian Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. Endit