COIMBATORE: When the hashtag #ArrestPollachiRapists, went on a serious topic in the state, public, social activists and political parties have been asking to take stringent action on accused, who were allegedly arrested in a 19-year-old girl sexually harassment case registered in Pollachi.

However, Coimbatore rural police, who are investigating the case, claimed no woman is willing to make a complaint against them, though many were said harassed by the gang.

Their statements also said that people should come forward to make a complaint on the accused if anybody affected by the gang.

"If they feel uneasy for revealing identity with police, they can make a complaint directly to the Pollachi magistrate. When the case went as serious that the gang had cheated many women by sexually and threatened financially, we had asked public support to make the case strong," said K Jayaraman, Pollachi DSP.

However, activists and political parties are alleging that the police are simultaneously discouraging victims by exposing their identity instead of protecting them.

"The Supreme Court recently said that rape victims were being treated as untouchables in society while directing that names and identities of victims of rape and sexual assault should not be disclosed or revealed. But here most her identity was disclosed and it might be created fear among other victims. If nobody comes on the ground, the case would be diluted soon" said R Manoharan, DPDK Functionary, Pollachi.

The press statement, which was released at Pollachi by police on March 1 after the first three accused, mentioned with the victim's name and address. When it was questioned, a police official said that it (mentioning the victim's name) is the regular procedure.

Later, the same mistake was repeated in the second statement released on March 6, when the prime accused K Thirunavukkarasu (27) was secured.

At this juncture, activists alleged on police that they were trying to dilute the case by indirectly threatening the victims by revealing their identity instead of protecting it.

SP Pandiyarjan finally acknowledged that it was a mistake committed by the police by mentioning the name of the victim and assured that it would not recur.

"Police had tried to dissolve the case when it went as political influences. Though keeping victim names as the secret is basic sense, they failed to follow it and that was led the victim's brother was threatened and attacked by another one gang. So it is confirmed that police is playing in a dual role in this case" said Thendral Selvaraj, DMK town secretary Pollachi.

Activists confirmed that many of the victims are living in Pollachi, but not willing to reveal their experience. Also, they suspect some girls committed suicide due to the gang's pressure.

"We met some of the victims, however, they feared if they might be disclosed. On another side, one college girl was found that she was committed suicide recently. We had heard that she was blackmailed by somebody when contacted with her friends. However, it was portrayed as for simple reasons. So the case should be included the suicide cases and it must recall from 7 years before when the accused had started the harassment" said RG Nawin Krishna, a functionary of Rowdhra social organization,