By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: The Kerala state government on Friday ordered a judicial enquiry into the May 17 police firing on Cheriathura beach in Thiruvananthapuram in which six persons from the Muslim fishing community were killed. While suspending four police officers the government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lac each to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 10 thousand to one lac to the injured.
The state Cabinet in its meeting yesterday also decided to order a judicial probe by a sitting judge of the High Court into the police firing at Cheriathura and the circumstances that led to the police action.
After the meeting Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan announced his Cabinet’s decision to sanction Rs.10 lac to the next of kin of those who died in the police firing at Cheriathura. A member of the family of each person killed in firing would be given suitable jobs. Those injured in the clash and police firing would be given Rs.10,000 to Rs.1 lac as assistance besides free treatment. Besides, the government has asked the collector to determine the losses to fishing equipment, houses, implements and vehicles for proper compensation to the victims.
While ordering judicial probe the government decided to suspend four police officers, pending detailed inquiry, in connection with the violence and consequent police firing that led to six deaths. At least 29 people were injured in the violence on May 17. They are being treated at Government Medical College Hospital (MCH). The suspended officials are Assistant Commissioners of Police C.G. Suresh Kumar and E. Sherifudeen, Circle Inspector Pradeep Kumar and Sub-Inspector Johnson. The government has also removed city Commissioner of Police A. Gopinath and Deputy Commissioner A.V. George from their respective posts.
The police had opened fire when two communities resorted to violence on Suday on the beach. The clashes erupted after a local mafia boss called Shibu tried to extort money from a small restaurant belongs to Muslim fisherman community in the area on Saturday. When the community refused to pay, the criminal gang from another community returned to the area with more people and started pelting stones at shops and nearby houses. They also torched boats and fishing nets and damaged several shops in the area. Four persons from the Muslim fishing community were killed on the spot when the Kerala police opened fire. The dead were identified as Ahmed Saleem (50), Badusha (35), Syed Alavi (24), Abdul Hakkeem (27). Two others succumbed to injuries later.