Chandy calls for inquiry into alleged custodial deaths

Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy today called for a comprehensive inquiry into the recent alleged custodial deaths and to take stern action against those involved in the incidents.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the increasing custodial deaths were a''disgrace'' to the State and the Government should give adequate compensation to the kith and kin of those killed in police custody after the Left Democratic Front came to power.

Alleging that five custodial deaths were reported from different parts of the State during the last two weeks, Mr Chandy said no action was taken so far, despite his letters to the Chief Minister and Home Minister in this regard.

If the Government had taken action against the culprits immediately after the first incident was reported, the recurring of such incidents could have been curbed, he said.

Even after two weeks, the Government had failed to nab the accused in the attack against Excise officals at Kariyilakulangara, while seizing spirit from a house.

Alleging serious lapses on the part of the police department, he said though the police had identified the main accused in the case, no arrest had been made so far except the arrest of two women.

On the remarks of High Court releasing prisoners on parole, he said though the Home Department had the right to release prisoners, it should be based on a court order, keeping the rules and regulations and, above all, it should be neutral.

On Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's reported statement in which he termed the ''false middle class pride'' as the reason for suicide of farmers, Mr Chandy said it was ''unfortunate''.

He should not have made such remarks, as he had undertaken agitations against the previous United Democratic Front for waiving agricultural loans, the Opposition leader added.

Mr Chandy said the High Court verdict on the Dubai Internet City proved that the steps taken by the UDF Government were correct and also established that the project was necessary for the development of the State, as well as, providing jobs to thousands of unemployed youths.

Welcoming the move of the Chief Minister to invite the DIC authorities, the former Chief Minister said ''the approach is very good''.

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