BJP calls for CBI probe into Marad carnage

Kochi, Sep 19 (UNI) BJP Kerala unit president P S Sreedharan Pillai today demanded the state Government to order a CBI probe into the Marad carnage that killed nine people in 2003.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Pillai said the government should order a CBI inquiry into the incident as the culprits instrumental in orchestrating the carnage are scot-free and should be brought to book.

The government with the action taken report was trying to protect the perpetrators behind the attack and divert the attention of the public from the main issue, he added.

The report, forwarded by the Home Secretary to the Chief Secretary yesterday, had requested action against four top officials -- the then district collector of Kozhikode T O Sooraj, IG Mahesh Singla, who headed the crime branch investigation into the incident, the then Kozhikode City Police Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Padjoshi and Abdul Rahim, who was the Assistant Commissioner (south) for dereliction of duty.

Mr Pillai said the probe instead of confining into a criminal investigation should delve into aspects like inter-state connection, terrorism link and the source of financial support related to the incident.

The judicial probe under Sessions Judge Thomas P Joseph was ordered by the UDF Government under the Chief Ministership of A K Antony in May 2003.

UNI MA ROY AK RK505