SIT begins probe into 1980s murders

Initially three cases to be investigated afresh

Members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the State Police, formed to investigate the political murders in Idukki district in the early 1980s, began collecting evidence from relatives of those who were allegedly killed during the period.

The team divided itself into three and visited the homes of next of kin of Anchery Baby, Mullanchira Mathai, and Muthukad Nanappan who were killed in 1980s.

A senior member of the SIT told

The Hindu that initially the three cases would be investigated afresh. Other murders referred to by CPI(M) Idukki district secretary M.M. Mani in his speech at Thodupuzha on May 26 would be brought under the scanner later, he said.

Mr. Mani had stated that the CPI(M) had prepared a list of 13 persons and eliminated them one after the other.

The SIT, which was formed following Mr. Mani's sensational disclosure, also summoned the cameraman of a local channel which had documented the CPI(M) leader's controversial speech and took evidence from him. The 20-member SIT would fan out in the district in the coming days to take evidence from people and examine the records from police stations, the district crime records bureau and the courts where the relevant cases were tried.

Though the case diaries relating to the murder of Anchery Baby and Mullanchira Mathai could not be traced immediately, it would not pose any problem for the SIT as the crime records bureau has maintained separate files of all murders having a political dimension. Mr. Mani himself would be summoned for questioning only after all the relevant information is collected, police sources said.