Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 5 (PTI): At a time when those marrying outside their caste and religion are facing ostracism and threats in several parts of the country, the Kerala government is gearing up to open 'safe homes' to ensure them a secure accommodation.

The Department of Social Justice has unveiled the unique initiative to open such safe facilities in all districts.

Social Justice Minister K K Shailaja said preliminary steps have begun to set up 'safe homes', where such couples can stay up to one year after marriage.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 29 (PTI): Kerala government on Saturday announced the completion of two lakh houses under 'Life Mission', a housing project of the government, envisaging total housing for all the homeless.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made the announcement at a function here.

Kochi, Mar 1 (PTI):Adheringto a policy of "zero tolerance" towards clergy who sexually exploit minors, Pope Francis has expelled a Kerala priest convicted of rape from all priestly duties and rights, according to church officials.

Syro-Malabar Church priest Robin Vadakkumchery is currently serving a jail term for impregnating a 16-year-old girl in Mananthavady diocese.

Kochi,Feb 28 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to a Catholic priest, accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Kozhikode in 2017.

Granting the relief to accused priest Manoj Plakootam, the Court directed him to be present before the Investigating Officer within 10 days.

Palakkad (Kerala), Feb 26 (PTI) A 24-year-old man was arrested here on charges of making derogatory remarks against those protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh after a compliant was filed against him, police said on Wednesday.

Attappadi resident Sreejith Raveendran was nabbed after the Democratic Youth Federation of India, CPI-M's youth wing, filed the complaint, they said.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 17 (PTI) The Kerala Police Academy on Monday dismissed reports of a ban on beef on its campus and said the dish along with mutton have been excluded from the menu for new trainees based on dietitian's instructions.

Reacting to reports in a section of media that beef had been banned in the police canteen, academy Director B Sandhya, ADGP, said there was no such prohibition on the popular dish and dubbed the controversy a "media creation".

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 11 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday congratulated his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal for AAP's "resounding victory" in assembly elections, saying let it be a harbinger for inclusive politics in the country.

Vijayan said the Delhi poll result could be considered as a "reaction of the people towards the continuing communal polarisation of the BJP-led NDA and its anti-people policies.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 7 (PTI) Making a scathing attack on the Central government, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac on Friday said the BJP-led NDA government was "strangulating" the southern state by denying funds.

Presenting the 2020-21 budget of the Pinarayi Vijayan led-LDF government, he alleged the centre has been "helping" corporates rather that the common man.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 5 (PTI) The Kerala government on Wednesday said three foreign nationals were among the 2,528 people under observation in the state for the novel coronavirus infection and no new cases have been reported.

At least 93 people with minor symptoms of the virus have been lodged in isolation wards of various hospitals, state Health Minister K K Shailaja told reporters here.

Kochi, Feb 6 (PTI) A 46-year-old Thailand national was allegedly raped by two men here, following which they were arrested, police said on Thursday.

The accused hailing from a north Kerala district have been arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by the woman.