Demand for judicial probe into Ramnad violence

The NCHRO demanded the government to provide a relief of Rs.2 lakh to the families of those injured

The members of National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO) have demanded a judicial probe into the violence that occurred in Ramanathapuram on Monday. According to NCHRO members A. Marx and A. Rajini, a team of human rights activists visited the spot where the incident took place and conducted an enquiry.

Though the team was unable to gather evidence to establish as to who sparked the violence by pelting stones at the police, the activists after holding talks with Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police N.M. Mayilvahanan said there was a discrepancy in the statement of the police official, who initially allowed Popular Front of India cadres to take out a rally in uniform and beat drums, but later asked them to cancel the event citing security reasons.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Mr.Marx said the police had targeted a few advocates who took part in the rally. Among the seriously injured was advocate Najmudeen, who was counsel for terror suspect ‘Police’ Fakrudeen.

Judicial commission “The State government must set up a judicial commission headed by a sitting judge to enquire into the human rights violations in Ramanathapuram,” he demanded.

A couple of unknown persons who were hurling stones were caught by the Popular Front of India cadres and handed over to the police, but they were later released without any enquiry, the members claimed.

The NCHRO demanded the government to provide a relief of Rs.2 lakh to the families of those injured, to bring to book those who pelted stones at the police and the PFI cadres, and to initiate criminal proceedings against the police officials responsible for the attack on the advocates.