The Hindu
Published: August 24, 2012 02:13 IST |
Updated: August 24, 2012 02:13 IST
Pranab promises to look into Agnivesh demand for SIT probe
President Pranab Mukherjee has assured social activist
Swami Agnivesh that he would look into his demand for setting up a Special
Investigation Team, to be monitored by the Supreme Court, to probe the massacre
of 20 tribals — branded Naxalites by the Central Reserve Police Force personnel
— in Karseguda village
of Bijapur
Of those killed by the CRPF’s special unit — COBRA
(Commando Battalion for Resolute Action ) — personnel, seven were children,
including girls, in the age group 12-14. Swami Agnivesh, who met Mr. Mukherjee
here on Thursday, recalled how a boy was killed ruthlessly. Initially hiding in
a tree fearing police action, he came down after some time and started running.
But the security personnel pumped bullets in his legs, and when he fell down,
smashed his head with a big boulder, the President was told.
Describing the incident as a cold-blooded mass murder of
innocent tribals, the memorandum submitted by Swami Agnivesh, also sought Rs.
25 lakh ex gratia to each of the families of those killed, dismissal of Chief
Minister Raman Singh’s government in Chhattisgarh, sacking of Finance Minister
P. Chidambaram (who was in charge of the Home Ministry then) and open apology
from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Adivasis.
He also sought registration of murder cases against those
personnel of COBRA involved in the incident. The memorandum suggested that Mr.
Mukherjee visit the affected area to console the victims’ families or at least
ask the Chhattisgarh Governor to bring them to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
No comments:
Post a Comment