A probe into the killing of 20 men from Tamil Nadu by the Andhra Pradesh police by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), similar to the one that investigated the post-Godhra violence in Gujarat, was sought by political parties and civil rights organisations here on Saturday.
The demand for an SIT, without representation from TN and AP police and under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge, was put forth at the meeting organised by People’s Watch to release the final report of a fact-finding team, led by H. Suresh, former Judge, Bombay High Court, into the AP killings. The SIT should file its report before the AP High Court.
Addressing the participants, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the CBI could assist the SIT.
Vaiko's demand
Mr. Vaiko, who handed over financial assistance to the affected families, wanted the police to file cases under Section 302 of the IPC. By insisting on the cremation of seven bodies of victims and not filing man missing cases, the TN police had also become culpable in the murder, he accused. He urged the AP government to award a compensation of Rs one crore to each of the families of victims and the TN government to provide employment to one member of each family.
P. Nedumaran, leader of Tamil National Front, expressed concern over the growing trend of the police violating guidelines and procedures while making arrests. Mr. Suresh said that the police had no justification to indulge in plain murder of innocents. There was an increase in State oppression and indifference to people’s sufferings all over the country.
Thol. Tirumavalavan, leader of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, who had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking judicial enquiry into the killings; C. Mahendran, CPI leader; T. Velmurugan, founder, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, and M. H. Jawahirullah, Ramanathapuram MLA, addressed the gathering.
