Cong demands judicial inquiry into custodial deaths

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11 (UNI) The Congress in Kerala today demanded a judicial inquiry into the custodial deaths reported after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government came to power.

Talking to mediapersons after a party leadership meeting here, KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala said the meeting also demanded the government to provide adequate compensation to the kin of those killed in custody and stern action against the guilty officials.

If the government failed to heed the demand, the Congress would go for direct agitations and as a first step, a mass dharna would be organised before the Secretariat here on August 16.

On August 23 mass dharnas would be organised in all the 140 constituencies in the state, he added.

Pointing out a Supreme Court order that certain guidelines should be followed while arresting a person, he alleged the police were violating all the guidelines.

The statements of police officials that all custodial deaths were due to illness could not be justified, he said adding that Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's justification in this regard was 'objectionable'.

Mr Ramesh said the government 'had shattered the aspirations of the people,' who had a good faith in the performance of the new government.

Even two-and-half-months after it came to power, the LDF Government did not rise upto the expectations of the people, he said.

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