DPI leader appeals for Afzal

Puducherry, Oct 10 (UNI) Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) leader Thol Thirumavalavan today urged the Union Government to reduce the capital punishment awarded to Afzal Ali in the Parliament attack case to life imprisonment.

Addressing a press conference here he said he had written to the President in this regard. Capital punishment was abolished in 129 countries and India should also follow this.

He also urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to pressure the Centre in this regard. The death sentence of Nalini in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case was reduced to life on the intervention of Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

The Tamil Nadu government had recently released several life convicts, he said and added that Nalini should also be released.

On the JIPMER issue, he said the DPI agreed with the view of the employees and said the Centre should consider the demand of the employees.

Mr Thirumavalavan condoled the death of BSP founder leader Kanshi Ram and said that his demise was an irrepairable loss to the oppressed people.

Welcoming the change of the name Pondicherry to Puducherry, Mr Thirumavalavan also urged the administratioin to simplify the procedure in issuing caste certificates. Permanent caste certificates should provided, he added.

UNI PAB VV AB HS1410