The body of Madhu, who was beaten to death by local people for alleged theft on Thursday, was laid to rest at the tribal burial ground near the Kadukumanna settlement at Chindakki in Attappady on Saturday evening. Hundreds of people gathered at the village to get a last glimpse of the youth.
His body was kept at his parents’ hut for a few minutes for public viewing. Earlier, the body was kept at Agali town for an hour for tribespeople and activists to pay last respects. Protesters staged a road blockade, saying that the police should arrest all those involved in the murder before the youth is laid to rest.
When the body reached Mukkali town on the way to Kadukumanna, a huge gathering of tribespeople blocked the ambulance. The police promised them that all the accused would be arrested by night.
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Before the burial, the police informed the relatives that all the 16 accused had been arrested. The accused would be produced at a Mannarkkad court on Monday.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister K. Raju has termed baseless the reports that forest officials were involved in the death of Madhu. In a statement in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, Mr. Raju alleged that certain reports propagated false information, implicating officials attached to the Mannarkkad forest division in the incident. Madhu’s sister had alleged that forest officials had helped the local people locate Madhu and beat him up. The Minister said strict action would be initiated if any forest official was found to be involved in the incident.
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Ex gratia of ₹10 lakh
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The State government has decided to provide an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh to the family of Madhu. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday directed the Chief Secretary to hand over the amount to Madhu’s family at the earliest.
Centre seeks report
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said a report had been sought from the Chief Secretary of Kerala on the death of the tribal youth.