Will the incident of burning a Girl child hurt AIADMK Politically?

Two AIADMK functionaries allegedly set a 14-year-old girl ablaze at Sirumadurai colony near Thiruvennainallur. She died at the Villupuram Government Medical College and Hospital (VGMCH) at Mundiyambakkam on 11 May 2020, after suffering from 70% burn injuries. The episode occurred on 10 May, near Thiruvennainallur, around 11:30 am.

Two ruling AIADMK functionaries, namely G. Murugan and K. Kaliyaperumal have been arrested by the Villupuram police. The arrest has been made on the basis of the statement given by the victim. The police will look further into the case and investigate to get to the bottom of the incident.

The victim was the daughter of a shop owner named Jayabal. Jayabal’s family has a feud history with the AIADMK functionaries G. Murugan and K. Kaliyaperumal, as they along with six others had been arrested for assaulting Jayabal’s brother eight years ago, but were granted bail later.

The family of the victim has stated that she was alone and was looking after their shop which is situated in front of their house when G. Murugan and K. Kaliyaperumal poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. The neighbors who heard her screams rushed to help and rescue her.

The girl in her statement to the Magistrate insinuated that G. Murugan and K. Kaliyaperumal set her on fire. The police have made the arrest on the basis of this statement but will investigate further.

Several such incidents have taken place this year. In February, a 24-year-old college teacher was set ablaze by a stalker when she was on her way to college. She sustained 40% burn injuries and died a week after.

Another burn incident took place in February when a 45-year-old woman was set on fire by her husband, after she confronted him about his adultery. She sustained 80% burn injuries and was admitted to a local hospital in Jajpur, Odisha district where the incident took place.

Tamil Nadu assembly election is due in 2021, AIADMK had suffered a massive blow in Lok Sabha election 2019. The incident may hurt the state unit of AIADMK more. The oppositions, particularly DMK under MK Stalin will look to target the government over the this case. Stalin has already demanded maximum punishment for the men who set the school girls ablaze. The quantum of punishment is to be decided according to law, however the incident may add to the sufferings of AIADMK government in the state.