PWD women officials assaulted while supervising roadwork at night in Kollam; phone snatched

Shasthamkotta (Kollam): A complaint has been filed alleging an attempted assault on women officials of the Public Works Department (KRFB) who were supervising night tarring work. The Sasthamkotta police, who had taken no action for two days after the complaint was lodged, registered a case against the alleged attackers on Sunday only after receiving instructions from the ministerial level.

Police action followed complaints made by the employees to the Public Works Minister, KIIFB authorities, and the Superintendent of Police on Saturday.

The officials on duty included the PWD Assistant Executive Engineer, an Assistant Engineer, and two overseers. The Assistant Executive Engineer was reportedly subjected to verbal abuse and an attempted physical assault, during which her phone was also snatched. The incident occurred around 9:30 PM on Friday night.

What happened?

The night tarring work is part of the development of the Karunagappally–Sasthamkotta road, with these women employees overseeing the operations. While work was in progress, some workers tried to prevent a vehicle from passing over the newly tarred section. Despite being informed that only a few minutes had passed since the tarring, the vehicle attempted to drive over the area.

Officials intervened, and when one of them began recording the vehicle’s movement on her phone, the occupants of the vehicle exited and confronted her. According to the complaint, they used abusive language and attempted to physically assault her.

The employees personally went to Sasthamkotta police station around 10:30 PM to file a complaint. However, the officer on duty reportedly dismissed them without issuing a receipt and treated the matter lightly. The complaint also noted that a woman police constable on duty failed to give them proper consideration, despite the officials being women.

Following strong intervention from the employees’ organisation and the department, the police eventually registered a case. Meanwhile, pressure is reportedly being exerted on the Assistant Executive Engineer to settle the issue.