Govt aid to 'custodial' death victim's family

Chennai, Nov 23 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today announced an immediate assistance of Rs one lakh to the family of the PMK functionary, who died allegedly in police custody at Kullanchavady in Cuddalore district on November 20.

Mr Karunanidhi made the announcement after PMK MLA Velmurugan called on him at the State Secretariat and gave a first hand information about the incident.

It may be noted that the State Government ordered a judicial inquiry by retired Madras High Court Judge M S Janardhanam into the custodial death of Ramalingam and the subsequent violent incidents that culminated in a lathicharge at Kullanchavady.

The one-man Commission would also go into the reasons for the death of Ramalingam, who was brought to the police station on November 19 night following an altercation with a bus crew, and whether the police were justified in resorting to a lathicharge.

The incident took an ugly turn when Ramalingam's body was found outside the police station and the locals alleged that he died in police custody due to torture.

As a large number of people gathered at the police station and demanded action against the cops, police resorted to lathicharge.

UNI