The Hindu : Front Page : Cabinet orders judicial probe into custodial deaths

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Thursday, Aug 17, 2006

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Cabinet orders judicial probe into custodial deaths

Special Correspondent

It will cover all acts of omission and commission by the police

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to order a judicial inquiry into custodial deaths in the State.

The probe would cover all deaths caused by acts of omission and commission on the part of the police, excise and jail authorities after the LDF Government came to power.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told presspersons here that the services of a sitting judge would be sought for the inquiry.

The Cabinet also cleared a financial aid of Rs.50,000 each to the families of farmers who committed suicide in the State and persons who died of poisoning by Endosulfan pesticide in Kasaragod district. According to official figures, 549 farmers committed suicide in the State,while 135 died of pesticide poisoning in Kasaragod.

The amounts would be paid before Onam. The Cabinet approved the proposal of the State Civil Supplies Corporation to give Onam kits, each costing about Rs.35, to those living below the poverty line.

The Government, Mr. Achuthanandan said, would request the Centre to set up a Bench of the High Court in Thiruvananthapuram after consulting the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.

Salahudeen is PSC chief

Member of Public Service Commission K.V. Salahudeen would be appointed Chairman in the place of M. Gangadhara Kurup, who is retiring on August 19.

The Chief Minister said the Cabinet would shortly discuss the report of the Commission that inquired into the Marad massacre. The police were keeping vigil on the coastal areas in view of warnings about the activities of the Students Islamic Movement of India.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the Government would convey its protest against the hike in airfare in the Gulf sector to the Prime Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Government was going ahead with the proposal for its own airline, Air Kerala.

He said block panchayat presidents would be sanctioned Rs.500 a month as telephone allowance.

Payments under the pension scheme for journalists would be shifted from the treasury to the State Bank of Travancore. The Thrikkakkara panchayat would be given 14 acres of land to build a stadium.

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