Former health minister and Tripura BJP MLA Sudip Roy Barman has called for an apolitical protest rally on January 3 here, protesting against the rising crimes against women in the state.

In a letter, Barman urged people of all sections to come together and raise their voice to safeguard mothers and sisters across the state and country.

“Every day we find reports of rape, murder, housewives being burnt and killed, dowry cases in newspapers and news channels across Tripura. Children from three years of age to even 82 year-old women are not spared by miscreants whereas we are involved in talks over protests, wrongdoings and misconduct sitting in the drawing rooms of our own homes,” Barman wrote.

He said the coming new year was time to start this campaign.

“Come let us pledge to unite and protect the prestige of our mothers and sisters. We have to come together to create a barricade to stop violence against insult, disgrace and molestation of women across the state,” he said.

On June 1, Barman was removed from the state cabinet when an official notification issued by the chief secretary in-charge of Tripura, Kumar Alok, said Barman ceased to be a member of the council of ministers.