Tamil Nadu custodial death: Murder charges included, five policemen arrested
Chennai(PTI): Five policemen have been arrested in connection with a custodial death in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga district, police said.
An official release late on Monday said that six personnel had been placed under suspension on June 28.
A due probe was launched into the matter and following the post-mortem report received last night, the next course of action was initiated "without any delay", it said.
Subsequently, murder charges were invoked and "five policemen involved in the matter have been arrested," it said. A judicial enquiry has been ordered into the matter.
The state police has worked in a "just, transparent and unbiased" manner as regards this "unfortunate incident," it said.
In the past five years, there has been a significant dip in custodial deaths in the state and whenever such incidents happen, appropriate action has been taken by the police department, the release added.
The victim, security guard Ajithkumar of Tiruppuvanam in Sivaganga, was picked up by the local police in connection with a case earlier. The custodial death had sparked an outrage, with political parties slamming the government over the issue.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
