Oppn seeks aid for custodial death victims' families

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 20 (UNI) The Congress-led Opposition today staged a walk-out towards the fag end of the day's proceedings in the Kerala Assembly demanding financial assistance to the families of those killed in custody and police-related incidents during the past three months.

Towards the end of discussion on demands for grants in the budget for Administration of Justice, Police, Jails and Tourism, Opposition leader Oommen Chandy alleged that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was going back on its promise of providing financial assistance to families of the victims.

He wanted a clarification from Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan after Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told the House that the government would examine the cases individually and do whatever was possible without waiting for the findings in the Judicial Inquiry on the custodial deaths.

Mr Balakrishnan said the Chief Minister had already announced the stand of the government and he had nothing to add, leading to noisy protest from the Opposition benches.

Earlier, the Home Minister said the government would take stringent measurers to ensure that there would be no custodial deaths in Kerala. ''Those policemen found guilty will be dismissed from service. It will also take measures to ensure that no third degree methods are used in lock-ups,'' he added.

He said all the police constables who completed 15 years of service would be promoted to the rank of Head Constable and those who had completed 23 years would be given the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector.

Referring to the issues in jails, he said a timely revision of wages of prisoners would be effected soon. Similarly, timely changes would be brought in to the Jail Act and jail rules to give a humane face to the guidelines for granting parole to prisoners.

He said the Cheemeni Open Jail in Kannur district would start functioning soon to avoid over crowding in existing jails.

Mr Balakrishnan also said steps would be taken to fill about 1,000 vacancies in the fire services. The Fire Service Acadamey in Thrissur would start functioning this year itself. The government was considering a proposal to open an institute for conducting courses for firemen.

UNI CR JJ SAM HT1835