Chandy blames CPM for halting CBI probe into Marad violence

Kozhikode, Nov 20 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy today held the CPI(M) responsible for halting a probe by the CBI into the Marad violence that claimed nine lives on May 2, 2003.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the previous UDF government headed by Mr A K Antony was about to hand over the case to the CBI, but halted the move following strong opposition from the Marxists.

Consequently, the then government decided to entrust the case with the Crime Branch.

However, the Congress was not against the move, he said apparently referring to CPI(M)-led LDF government's decision to seek further probe into the conspiracy angle, if any, of the violence at Marad beach in Kozhikode.

Judge Thomas P Joseph, who heard the case, was scheduled to pronounce the verdict in the case on November 29.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Janapaksham (KJ), a breakaway faction of the BJP in the state, welcomed the decision to seek CBI probe into the communal clashes.

KJ general secretary Baby Ambbat in a statement here said those believed in democracy would wholeheartedly welcome the move at a time when terror-related incidents were escalating in the country as witnessed during the last couple of months.

UNI PCH PK AS1838