CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday criticised the State government after a DMK union secretary in Villupuram district was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman over a period of six months.

Referring to media reports, Palaniswami said the accused had allegedly threatened the survivor and claimed he was “untouchable” due to his political connections. He said such incidents reflected a serious breakdown in law and order in the State and raised questions over the safety of women in Tamil Nadu.

He charged that individuals said to be close to ministers and district-level functionaries were repeatedly facing allegations of criminal conduct, including sexual offences, while the ruling government had failed to act decisively. He said the Chief Minist

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