3-Year-Old Girl Raped and Murdered in Tiruvallur; NTK Questions Vijay's Govt, Says TN Becoming Unsafe for Women & Children

Tiruvallur - In a horrific crime that has shocked the state, a three-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered in Gummidipoondi, Tiruvallur district. The toddler, daughter of migrant workers from Bihar living near the SIPCOT industrial estate, was lured away while playing outside her home on the evening of June 14. She was later found with severe injuries in a thorny bush nearby. The child was rushed to Gummidipoondi Government Hospital and then shifted to Stanley Government Hospital in Chennai, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The accused, 19-year-old Bipin Manjhi, a migrant worker from Bihar employed at a steel unit in the SIPCOT area, has been arrested by police. Locals reportedly chased and caught him while he was trying to flee. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the POCSO Act. Police have clarified it was not a gang assault and only one accused is involved. Investigations are ongoing.

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Chief Coordinator Senthamizhan Seeman strongly condemned the incident and directly questioned the newly formed TVK government led by actor Vijay, accusing it of failing to ensure the safety of women and children in Tamil Nadu. In a sharp statement, Seeman said:

Seeman further criticised the government’s handling of the drug menace: “What measures have been taken to eliminate narcotics, the root cause of so many societal crimes? Why doesn't the Chief Minister who focuses so intently on driving vehicles and posting 'Reels' show the same level of enthusiasm and urgency when it comes to eradicating drugs? The Chief Minister must begin the drive to eliminate narcotics from within his own government. It is laughable and shameful for the TVK government to claim it will eradicate substance abuse while simultaneously opening new TASMAC bars across the state.”

Recalling a similar past incident in the same area, Seeman added:

“During the previous DMK regime, when a similar incident occurred in Gummidipoondi where a 10-year-old boy from Bihar state was sexually assaulted, I strongly condemned it and insisted that the government must pay utmost attention to protecting girl children, that proper documentation of migrant workers from northern states entering and staying in Tamil Nadu is essential, and that continuous monitoring of their unregulated movements is indispensable. But because both the DMK government of that time and the TVK government now have failed to take proper action regarding the arrival of people from northern states, another girl child has now been unjustly subjected to sexual assault and murdered by a migrant worker from a northern state."

Seeman demanded stringent action and systemic reforms:

“Swiftly imposing the death penalty on the ruthless, cruel criminals who sexually assault innocent young girls is the only way to prevent such heinous crimes. As long as ruling governments lack such resolve and genuine concern for women, it will be impossible to eradicate these brutal crimes. Therefore, I urge the TVK government to stop engaging in politics driven by empty publicity and, at the very least, take constructive measures to protect women and children.”