Activists Demand SIT Probe into Mysterious Child Deaths in Palakkad
Human rights activist P. Geetha has called for a sustained people's movement until the Kerala government orders a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the mysterious deaths of children in Palakkad district.
Speaking at a conference organised by the Committee Against Child Abuse, which pressed for an SIT inquiry, Dr. Geetha said that only an independent investigation could ensure justice in the cases. The conference was held to build public support for the demand.
Rights activist C.R. Neelakandan noted that the campaign was a natural extension of the ongoing struggle for justice for the Walayar girls, referring to previous cases of child deaths that had drawn public attention. Delivering the keynote address, lawyer-activist Sujatha Varma criticised the police system, stating it had yet to evolve into one that ensures justice for ordinary people.
Vilayodi Venugopal presided over the meeting. Several rights activists spoke in solidarity, including M. Sulaiman, Abdul Azeez, Mariyappan Neelippara, Ashok, S. Shivarajesh, Rajendran Nair, M. Mayandi, K. Vasudevan, T.P. Kanaka Das, Rajan Pulikkode, Ramesh Pirayiri, and K. Ramakrishnan.
