AIADMK members distribute pepper spray to women after Coimbatore sexual assault

In the wake of the horrific gang-rape of a college student near the Coimbatore International Airport, members of the AIADMK held an awareness campaign in the Madukkarai area, distributing pepper spray to women passengers as a symbolic protest highlighting the need for better safety measures.
The gruesome incident occurred in Brindhavan Nagar, behind the airport, where a college student was talking to her boyfriend when three men attacked them. The assailants allegedly assaulted the youth, abducted the young woman, and gang-raped her. The survivor is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Acting swiftly, the Peelamedu police registered a case and launched a statewide search with the help of special police teams. The accused — Guna Thavasi, Sathees, and Karthik alias Kaleeswaran — were later traced to Vellakinaru near Thudiyalur. When they allegedly attacked officers with machetes, police opened fire in self-defense, injuring all three in their legs before arresting them. The injured suspects were admitted to the Coimbatore Government Medical College and Hospital. Amid widespread public outrage, AIADMK members distributed pepper spray to women in Madukkarai, particularly those traveling by bus, urging them to stay vigilant.
Speaking at the event, party members said the initiative was aimed at raising awareness about women’s safety. “Incidents like this show that women are not safe in Tamil Nadu today. Every woman must be empowered to defend herself,” one of the members said.
The protest drew mixed reactions — while some commuters appreciated the move as a practical safety measure, others called for stronger law enforcement and stricter punishment to deter such crimes in the future.