Kerala - Kozhikode   

Security strengthened as verdict draws close

KOZHIKODE: With only four days to go for the special court trying the second Marad case to give its verdict, security is being strengthened in the seaside village.

The special court is expected to give its verdict on November 29. As many as 139 persons are on trial in the Marad case for involvement in the killing of nine persons. Though the murders took place in May five years ago, the social and psychological wounds it caused have not healed fully.

While the court is expected to declare the names of the persons found guilty of the crime, the quantum of punishment is expected to be pronounced only later.

There was speculation that the police might seek postponement of the verdict, as the observance of the Babri Masjid demolition day is round the corner. However, there has been no such move so far. But it is within the powers of the court to put off its verdict.

Marad now appears to be peaceful though the entire region is under police control. The village has been under close security cover ever since the killing of nine persons on May 2, 2003. A police station has been opened and activities in the communally sensitive seaside village are closed monitored.

On Tuesday, District Collector A. Jayathilak held a meeting to review the progress of programmes that were launched for the development of Marad region. It was found that these programmes had not been completed. The Marad package included a Rs.31.5-lakh drinking water scheme, Rs.27-lakh power supply project and a Rs. 58.3-lakh project to build a sea wall. These were in addition to schemes for health welfare and improvement of roads. At the meeting on Tuesday, the Beypore panchayat was directed to release funds for setting up three tower lights in Marad. The panchayat secretary said the funds for the tower lights would be released to the Kerala State Electricity Board as soon as the panchayat committee granted its approval.

The deployment of a large police force and a skew of welfare measures, including payment of compensation to the relatives of the victims of the violence and families that lost their belongings during the post-murder upheaval in the region, had helped to a large extent to assuage the feelings of the people.

The State Cabinet recently recommended the case for an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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