Attempts on to eliminate Abdul Nasser Madhani: PDP

Kozhikode, Feb 10: Kerala-based People's Democratic Party (PDP) today alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched by ''certain quarters'' to eliminate its chairman Abdul Nasser Madhani, incarcerated in jail in connection with the Coimbatore serial blasts case.

''An attempt was on to eliminate Madhani'' in Coimbatore Central Prison by denying him medical treatment and prolonging trial in the blast case, in which he was ''falsely implicated,'' PDP working chairman Poonthura Siraj said in a release here.

Even though the prosecution had failed to establish any evidence against Mr Madhani, he was detained without trial for the last eight years, on the ground that proceedings against the other accused in the case was on.

Stating that the health condition of Mr Madhani, suffering from various ailments, had deteriorated after discontinuation of ayurvedic treatment provided to him, he urged the authorities to take immediate steps to restart medical aid.

Calling upon the democratic forces to lend voice to secure his release, Mr Siraj said the party would launch an agitation against his prolonged detention.

The details of the agitation programme would be announced at a convention in Ernakulam on February 23, the release added.

Sixty people were killed and 250 others injured in the serial bomb blasts at Coimbatore, on February 14, 1998.

UNI