By Najiya O., TwoCircles.net
The Beemapalli incident is a stain on the government, said Mr. Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, state Home Minister, in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The police failed to control the attacks of goons in the area. However, all organizations, especially Muslim organizations, cooperated and acted well, he added.
In another development, the Kerala High Court rejected the appeal of the Chief Minister to allow the service of a sitting judge for inquiry into the Beemapalli incident. The government had ordered for a judicial probe into the Beemapalli police firing incidents. Now the government will have to appoint any retired judge of the HC or District Court for the purpose.
The Beemapalli police firing which took the lives of six people led to heated debate in the Assembly. The Speaker had allowed CT Ahammedali, MLA, Kasargode and Parliamentary Party leader of the Muslim League, and V Surendran Pilla, MLA of the constituency including Beemapalli, for submission. Mr. Pilla who spoke first praised the measures taken by the government after the firing. This angered the opposition MLAs who asked aloud if he was praising the government for shooting six people. But Mr. Pilla continued his speech. He argued that he, being the MLA of the area, knew better what had happened. He also asked why the opposition had not brought up the issue in the Assembly. On hearing this, CT Ahammedali stated that he had given submission first and that Mr. Pilla was trying to create misunderstandings. Mr. Ahammedali was sobbing when he spoke about the death of six people and injuries of others.
The Beemapalli incident was unforunate and should not have occurred, said M Vijayakumar, Minister of Law, who spoke for the CM. He added that the government would do all that is necessary if what have already been done is not enough.
Six people were killed and several others severely injured in the police firing that took place on 17th May. There were some clashes between the people of Beemapalli and Cheriyathura in the coastal area of Thiruvananthapuram mainly because of the acts of some goons in the area. The police took no action to control the goons. When the clashes increased on 17th, the police indiscriminately fired at the people, killing six. After strong protests from Muslim organizations and some human rights activists, the government has ordered for a judicial inquiry into the matter. The government also gave compensation of Rs.10 lakh each for the families of those killed. It has announced that Rs.22 lakh more will be distributed to the victims of the police firing and clashes.
All major Muslim organizations united in this matter of grave concern and formed an umbrella body to struggle to achieve justice for the victims. The organizations also took great attention not to allow the incident to grow into communal violence.