TN unit of CPI(M) condemns custodial death of NLC worker

Chennai, Nov 21 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of CPI(M) today condemned the alleged custodial death of a Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) worker at Kullanchavadi police station in Cuddalore district and demanded the suspension of policemen concerned.

CPI(M) State unit Secretary N Varadarajan, in a statement here, said the state government, which had ordered a judicial probe into the incident should ensure that the probe would commence after the concerned police personnel concerned were placed under suspension.

Accusing the police of behaving in a barbaric manner by resorting to indiscriminate lathi charge, when the local villagers protested against the 'killing' of the worker, Ramalingam, the Left party leader demanded that the Government pay adequate compensation to the family of the victims and those injured in the lathi charge.

He said Ramalingam, travelling in a State Transport Corporation bus, was dropped at the Kullanchavadi police station on the night of November 19 after he picked up a wordy duel with the bus crew. His body was found in front of the police station next morning, he said.

Ramalingam was beaten to death by the police and they threw the body as if they had nothing to do with the incident. When the local people demanded action against the erring police personnel, they were severely beaten up in the lathi charge, Mr Varadarajan said.

UNI