Thiruvananthapuram: Parassala MLA and CPM leader C K Hareendran found himself in a tight corner after a video of him purportedly showering choicest abuses on a woman deputy collector in full public glare went viral on the social media on Sunday.

The MLA insulted deputy collector S J Vijaya when she arrived at Marayamuttom where local CPM workers staged a road blockade demanding compensation for the kin of victims who died in an accident at a quarry at Kunnathukal on Friday.

The two were killed and six others injured when a huge granite piece fell on them.

The MLA wanted her to announce an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh each, but the deputy collector informed him that it was decided to provide Rs 1 lakh to the victims’ families as immediate relief at a meeting convened by the district collector.

Infuriated by the reply, the MLA hurled abuses at her. “You don’t know who I am. Who brought you here? Who are you to announce a compensation of 1 lakh? What did I ask you? Be prepared to face public wrath,” he was heard telling the official in the video which has been doing the rounds on social networking sites.

This led to heated arguments between the officials and the supporters of the MLA.

The deputy collector later told mediapersons that she was only authorized to announce the official decision taken at the meeting convened by the district collector. She felt hurt by the MLA’s response, the official added.

The MLA's indecent behavior invited criticism even from Left sympathizers.

After the issue kicked up a row, the MLA tendered an apology to the woman official. "If any of my words had caused pain to the official, I apologize unconditionally," Hareendran told a television channel.

Kerala Women's Commission chairperson M C Josephine also intervened and sought an explanation from Hareendran. Josephine said public servants should not use "unsavory" words especially towards a woman even though they lose temper.

MLA should be booked

Terming the remarks extremely offensive, leader of the opposition Ramesh Chennithala demanded that a criminal case be filed against C K Hareendran MLA.

"CPM leaders keep talking about safety and security of women. But their MLA has abused a female official at a public place. He should be booked for insulting womanhood and for obstructing her from discharging duty," he said.

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