CBI probe should cover first Marad riot also: Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 28 (UNI) Welcoming the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government's decision to recommend a CBI probe into the 2003 Marad carnage, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy today said the first Marad riot should also be brought under the purview of the inquiry.

Speaking to mediapersons at the Assembly complex, he said though the Commission had mentioned the role of CPI(M) in the first riot, the government, in which the CPI(M) is a partner, not demanding a CBI inquiry raised doubts that it was trying to hide something.

Mr Chandy claimed that it was due to the decision of the all-party meet, convened after the second riot in Marad, that the previous UDF Government led by A K Antony had not referred the issue to the CBI.

Though all political parties had attended in the all-party meeting, except the BJP, no other parties, including the CPI(M) had not preferred a CBI probe, he said.

As it would take time for a CBI probe, the Antony Government gave priority to provide relief to the affected people in the riot-hit area, he added.

Alleging that the LDF was trying to blame the UDF and isolating Mr Antony in the name Marad report, Mr Chandy said it was due to the effective measures taken by the then Chief Minister that further bloodshed was averted.

UNI CGV JJ VA PM1851