High drama marks funeral of Muthukrishnan in Salem

As Muthukrishnan’s kin and friends suspected that he could have been murdered, political outfits staged a protest demanding a probe into his death and the family also initially refused to accept his body. Following the intervention of Union Ministers, the family members accepted the body and a post-mortem was conducted on Wednesday in New Delhi. 

The body was then flown from Delhi to Chennai by a special flight. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan accompanied the deceased student’s father Jeevanandham and his relatives. The body reached Chennai airport around 11.45 pm on Wednesday and then it was brought to Salem by road. Muthukrishnan’s mother Alamelu (48) and his sisters Kalaivani (32), Jayanthi (25) and Subha (23) received the body. 

Salem Collector V Sampath and MP V Panneerselvam paid their respects to the student. The Collector handed over a cheque for Rs 3 lakh as compensation. The relief was announced by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy earlier. The grief-stricken family sought justice and CBI probe into the death and not compensation from the Collector. Sampath assured them that state would initiate appropriate action and ensure justice for Muthukrishnan. 

Tense moments prevailed before the start of the funeral when a youth hurled a slipper at Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan who visited the house to pay homage. As the youth was arrested, VCK cadre resorted to road blockade and refused to allow the conduct of the final rites till the attacker was released. 

The family members of Muthukrishnan argued with them and said that it was not fair on their part to humiliate the minister who was so supportive of them and went ahead to perform the final rites around 1 pm. Thousands of men and women from various parties, organisations and college students took part in the funeral procession. Muthukrishnan was laid to rest at the Shevapet burial ground. 

Among those who paid homage to the research scholar were former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K V Thangkabalu, DMK state election wing secretary TM Selvaganapathy, Salem East unit district in-charge Veerapandi Raja and West District secretary SR Sivalingam, Periyar Dravida Viduthalai Kazhagam president Kolathur Mani and representatives of the DMDK, VCK and IUML and communist organisations.