Chennai: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Saturday formed a fact-finding committee to probe the alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old student at Chennai’s Anna University. The committee was constituted on the directions of NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.

The fact-finding committee will comprise Mamta Kumari and former Maharashtra DGP Praveen Dixit, reported News 18. The NCW panel will meet authorities, the survivor and her family. The committee members are likely to visit Chennai on Monday, December 30.

Meanwhile, the Madras high court on Saturday ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident. The bench of justices SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayan also directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay an interim compensation of ₹Rs 25 lakh to the survivor for the serious lapse on the part of the police in revealing her details in the first information report (FIR), reported Bar and Bench.

Notably, the FIR was reportedly published on the website of the state police. The court also asked the police to provide protection to the survivor and her family. The girl is a student of an engineering college.

The incident took place on Monday, December 23 when the girl was sitting with her male friend. The accused was identified as 37-year-old Gnanasekaran. He is a resident of the Kottur area near the college and is reportedly a biryani vendor. He was arrested on December 25. The accused also filmed the case and threatened her.

The girl’s male friend was allegedly thrashed by the accused.

Opposition parties in the state – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AIADMK – hit out at the ruling DMK party over the incident. The saffron party alleged that the accused was an officer-bearer of the DMK. As per the police, Gnanasekaran is a “history-sheeter”.

Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian slammed the Opposition for staging protests against the state government. He alleged that opposition parties were politicising the incident. Chezhian asked female students to ‘Kaaval Uthavi’ app so that they contact the police immediately when in need.

Hitting out at Opposition parties for targeting the DMK government over the incident, case, the minister said, “Those who want to politicise this incident in which an individual student was victimised should note that in the Pollachi sexual assault incident during the previous regime, the victims were afraid to even file a complaint with the police due to pressure from the then ruling government,” the minister said in his X post.

He also assured that the culprits would be brought to justice very soon.

Imphal, Dec 28: At least four persons including a TV Journalist and a security personnel were injured after suspected militants fired in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in Imphal East district on Saturday, officials said.

A police official said that the militants fired indiscriminately at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages from the hilltop injuring a local TV Journalist, a security personnel and two civilians.

TV Journalist L. Kabichandra sustained bullet injuries on his left thigh.

All the injured were rushed to the hospital.

“The militants fired in the Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages on Friday night and Saturday morning. These villages are situated in Imphal East district adjoining tribal inhabited Kangpokpi district,” the official said.

Additional security forces led by senior police officials have rushed to the areas and launched search operations to nab the militants.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the indiscriminate firing by militants in Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi areas.

Singh, in a post on X, said, “Strongly condemn the indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi in Imphal East, which injured civilians and security personnel.

This cowardly and unprovoked attack on innocent lives is an assault on peace and harmony.

Adequate security personnel have been rushed to the affected areas. The injured are receiving necessary medical assistance, and the government calls for calm and unity in the face of such challenges.”

Central forces and state police should have proper coordination and understanding when dealing with such situations, the chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, search operations and area domination were conducted by the Central and state security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

Movement of vehicles carrying essential items, food grains and transport fuel along the two vital National Highways — NH-37 and NH-2 — has been ensured with adequate security.

Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.

In a separate incident, seven acres of illegal poppy cultivation were destroyed by a combined team of security forces and forest department officials at T. Lhanghoimol areas in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Friday.

Jaipur, Dec 28: Another victim of the Jaipur LPG tanker blast and fire succumbed to his burn injuries on Saturday, taking the death toll to 20 in the devastating accident that occurred around eight days ago.

Eight more victims remain in critical condition, battling severe burn injuries.

According to officials, Salim, a resident of Ajmer, passed away during treatment at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday.

Following a postmortem conducted by the medical board, his body will be handed over to his family.

The tragic accident occurred on December 20 along the Jaipur-Ajmer highway, leaving 27 individuals with burns covering up to 80 per cent of their bodies.

Many sustained burns ranging from 50 per cent to 55 per cent, including Salim, who was accompanied by his brother during his hospital stay.

His brother, who had remained hopeful for his recovery after eight days of treatment, received the heartbreaking news of Salim’s death on Saturday morning.

Dr. Rakesh Jain, a burn specialist at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMSH), stated that the medical team has been working tirelessly to treat the injured and improve recovery outcomes.

He emphasised that every possible effort is being made to provide best care for the patients.

“Our team has been busy treating the injured patients and making every possible effort to increase the recovery rate of patients. The team of doctors is trying to provide the best possible treatment,” said Jain.

Meanwhile, the burn victims, admitted to the burn unit of the SMS Hospital in Jaipur, have sustained injuries covering nearly 50 per cent of their bodies.

The accident claimed the lives of four individuals on the spot, while eight others died during treatment at SMS Hospital on the same day and one death occurred at Jaipuria Hospital.

The blaze was so intense that five victims had to be identified through DNA analysis.

Among them was former IAS officer Karni Singh, whose identity was confirmed through DNA samples provided by his daughter.

Fifteen injured individuals have since been discharged from the hospital, but doctors warn that the deep burns have caused significant damage to healthy tissues, with long-term effects on the liver and kidneys for several victims.

In response to the accident, the Central Transport Ministry removed NHAI regional officer Dinesh Chaturvedi on Friday, December 27, transferring him to Delhi. Abdul Basil has been appointed as his replacement.

Meanwhile, the concerned authorities, including NHAI, police, and other departments, continue to shift blame over the causes of the incident.