Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Tuesday expressed concern over the incidents of lock-up death and custodial torture reported from various parts of the State. He was addressing a function held here to hand over the keys of a house to Prabhavathy Amma, mother of Udayakumar a youth who died in custody at the Fort Police Station last year.

Mr. Achuthanandan said it was disgraceful and despicable that custodial torture continued under the LDF Government. "While there are many versions on how the custodial deaths occurred, the fact that such incidents occur is a matter of shame."

He said the Government was committed to rooting out the ignominy and moulding a good police force.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who was present on the dais, said the Government would not protect police officials found guilty of excesses. He said directions had been issued to deal firmly with such cases.

Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran presided over the function. Law Minister M. Vijayakumar, Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran, Thiruvananthapuram East MLA V. Sivankutty, Mayor C. Jayan Babu and District Collector N. Ayyappan were present.

Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over the keys of the house to Ms. Prabhavaty Amma who broke down. The leaders on the dais consoled the sobbing woman.

Udayakumar was allegedly tortured to death in the Fort police station last year.

The incident generated widespread protests all over the State, forcing the then Government to order a Crime Branch inquiry.

In February, the Government issued an order sanctioning Rs.9.32 lakhs from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to purchase a house and property for the family of the deceased youth. The amount was utilised to purchase a plot of seven cents with a terraced building in the Manacaud village.

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