BRS raises concerns over crimes against minors

BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar expressed concern over rising crimes against minors in Telangana and questioned the government's handling of POCSO cases. He called for stronger awareness programmes, stricter action against offenders and greater focus on child safety measures

Hyderabad: BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar raised concerns over increasing crimes against minors in Telangana and accused the State government of failing to respond effectively to POCSO cases. He criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who also holds the Home portfolio, over the deteriorating law and order situation in the State under the current Congress regime.

Speaking to mediapersons at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Praveen Kumar appreciated the police for registering a case in the recent POCSO case in Khammam and arresting the accused within a day. However, he questioned the progress of the investigation in the Pet Basheerabad case, asking why it had not moved beyond the arrest of one accused despite the passage of nearly a month.

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He demanded that Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar and BJP leader Sangappa also be questioned in connection with the case. He questioned why Women and Child Welfare Minister D Seethakka had not visited the victim in the Khammam case.

Calling for stronger preventive measures, the BRS leader urged the government to create greater awareness among children and parents about POCSO offences, including education on good touch and bad touch, and to give wide publicity to Childline 1098 and Women Helpline 181.

Praveen Kumar appealed to parents to remain vigilant, stating that most POCSO offences involve persons known to the victims. He said a future BRS government would strengthen fast-track courts, take stricter action against offenders and introduce self-defence training for children.