CHENNAI: Citing rising crimes against women, PMK founder S Ramadoss urged the state government to ensure severe punishment to the perpetrators apart from providing security in public places and educational institutions. He referred to the incident of alleged sexual harassment executed by a Yercaud government school teacher, who had harassed girl students and has been arrested. “It is shocking and condemnable that government schools are turning unsafe for girls,” he said. Saying that education is requisite to ensure women’s development and breaking out of shackles, he added that parents are sending their daughters to schools despite poverty, underscoring the need for their protection.