State Tribal Welfare Minister says “busy” with party meet; local MLA’s aide, Muslim League workers and CPI (M) activists among accused
It has become clear by now that Madhu, 27-year-old tribal lynch victim, did not steal rice. The bag he was carrying — when people chased him down — contained waste papers. Without verifying the contents of the bag, they assaulted him, which led to his death, police sources said.
Madhu, a resident of tribal hamlet Attappadi within the Agaly police station limit, Palakkad district, was mentally challenged. A social worker told indusscrolls.com that a shopkeeper who led the mob suspected that the bag contained rice. “Seeing the mob, he ran to the bank of Bhavani river. The people caught hold of him and beat him with sticks severely. They accused him of stealing some valuable articles from a local house three days ago. Then some people informed Agali Police Station,” the social worker said. The police took him to the Government Tribal Hospital, but, he collapsed in the jeep and died on the way.
The social worker, who was quoted above, said Madhu lost his mental balance due to an injury caused by a clash while he was studying in a tribal skill development school in Attappadi. The victim’s mother said her son didn’t indulge in thefts.
But what is more shocking is the attitude of those working for the toiling masses. When contacted for his response, State Tribal Welfare Minister AK Balan said he was “busy with CPI (M) state conference” and he will make a statement after it is over. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the incident was deplorable. The Deshabhimani, the mouthpiece of CPI (M), played down the incident by giving the news in the obituary column. The local MP and ‘beef festival’ organizer MB Rajesh, under whose constituency Attappadi falls, is yet to respond. There have been several reports of infant deaths from tribal colonies in Attappadi. Although many of them are due to hunger, it is reported as malnutrition deaths.
Meanwhile, the accused who took selfies with Madhu was identified as T Ubaid, a close associate of local Muslim League MLA. Other accused included Hussain and Abdul Kareem. It’s alleged that the CPI (M) is playing down the incident as some of its workers were also involved in the incident, said sources.
When one Junaid died as a result of a clash related to a dispute regarding a train seat, Pinarayi visited the victim’s family in Haryana and gave a cheque of Rs 10 lakh. He had a ridiculous alibi: Junaid was killed for eating beef! A few days ago, a pregnant CPI (M) worker was attacked by her party colleagues, allegedly led by its branch secretary which led to the abortion of the foetus. Now, the CPI (M) leaders are threatening her to withdraw the complaint against the branch secretary.
There is mounting anger against the so-called intelligentsia who have turned a blind eye to atrocities taking place against women, SC/STs and Dalits.
BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan lambasted the CPI (M) leadership and the LDF regime for their double-standard regarding burning issues. ABVP state general secretary Shyamraj came down heavily on Minister AK Balan and CPM leadership for their hypocritical attitude towards SCs, STs and weaker sections. ABVP will launch an agitation in all districts against state government’s inhumane policies.
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