The Kerala State Commission for Minorities has recommended to the State government to immediately constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a senior police officer to probe the reasons that triggered the recent political violence between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUM) in Tanur in Malappuram district.
The Commission chaired by P.K. Haneefa submitted the recommendations after visiting the sensitive coastal belt and collecting the statements of the affected families. It also called for thorough review of all the already registered cases on the incident that took place on March 12, 2017 and release of all innocent people who were jailed on the basis of fake complaints.
The Commission report has also come down heavily on an alleged crackdown by policemen in the coastal area to prevent political clashes. Based on the complaints from local residents, the Commission called for setting up an independent agency to probe the acts of vandalism committed by the police and compensation for the loss suffered by the families.
The recommendations of the commission also include the formation of a local vigilance committee led by senior revenue officers to monitor the peacekeeping attempts in the region. The local vigilance committee should pass real-time information to the District Police Chief on noticing security lapses on the part of the local police in maintaining peace, it said.
In its 13-page detailed report, the panel has pointed to the poor educational background of people and living conditions in the coastal region. The upgrading of an existing Aided Lower Primary School with more facilities for educational empowerment of the minority community members in the area is needed, it said.
