Custodial deaths: Cong to launch agitation in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 7 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today decided to launch an agitation against the Left Democratic Front in the wake of repeated custodial deaths in the state, terming them the ''worst human rights violation.'' Ten custodial deaths were reported in the last two-and-a-half months, showing that criminals were on the increase in the police force, Pradesh Congress President Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here.

The alleged increase in custodial deaths only showed that the government was indifferent to taking necessary action in containing them, he said and charged that Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had failed to do his duty as Home Minister. Mr Balakrishnan, who also held the Tourism Ministry, was only interested in promoting tourism rather than protecting the lives of the people of the state, he said.

A prisoner undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kozhikode died today. Police said Rajan (38), arrested in connection with an excise case, died while being shifted to the district mental hospital in the morning. With this death, the total number of custodial deaths now stood at ten.

Demanding an inquiry by a sitting judge into these deaths, Mr Chennithala also asked the government to give immediate financial assistance to the next of kin of the victims. The government had already provided ten lakh rupees to the family of a CPI(M) supporter who died in police custody, he added.

On the self-financing professional colleges issue, he said the LDF government had failed to bring a solution to the issue.

''Instead of trying to solve the issue, Ministers and LDF leaders had only worsened it creating much confusion among the students,'' he said.

While Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had sorted out all issues with the college managements in their states amicably, the LDF had only created confusion and had taken a belligerent attitude, he said.

On the Coca Cola issue, he asked the Centre to bring in a ''comprehensive food policy'' rather than impose a complete ban on Pepsi and Coca Cola. ''We are not against banning the sale of Coca Cola and Pepsi in the state. But a total ban would only develop curiosity among people and the the best way to check such aerated drinks would be to bring in a comprehensive food policy,'' he said.

Mr Chennithala was also critical of the LDF's decision on the Approach Paper of the 11th plan. The discussion on the Approach Paper was not comprehensive, he said and added that it did not represent the opinion of the state. ''Only certain experts and organisations affiliated to the Marxists were allowed to give their opinions to the Planning Commission on the paper. The Congress was not invited,'' he said and added that the Left was not the sole representatives of the people of Kerala.

The Congress would hold a seminar on the Approach Paper on August 11 and submit its recommendations to Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, he said.

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