Anitha death: NCSC summons Chief Secretary

While responding to a query about the progress of medical aspirant S Anitha from Kuzhumur in Ariyalur, the VC said, “Since we are not satisfied, the Chief Secretary, the DGP, Ariyalur Collector and the SP have been summoned before the committee on December 12.”

Stating that the report was not promptly made, Murugan claimed that the inquiry panel had left the chances of ‘some external forces’ for her (Anitha’s) suicide. “We believe there were some external forces behind her suicide,” Murugan stressed. He also pointed out that the Puthiya Tamilagam president Dr Krishnaswamy had submitted a petition with the commission with a few claims and these points would also been taken into consideration, he said.

Murugan, who reviewed the projects implemented for the people belonging to Scheduled Caste, received petitions from the community people. He told reporters that the commission has reviewed the issues related to Panchami land, reservation and projects available through the Adi Diravidar Welfare department.

While expressing dissatisfaction over the conviction rate on atrocities against SC/ST, Murugan said, the expertise of special public prosecutor has to be improved. “Only 3 per cent of total cases have been convicted in the state and Tiruchy district has fared well with 7 per cent of conviction against these cases,” he said. He claimed that protection to the witnesses has been doubtful in these cases and so the witnesses fail to come forward to give the leads.

“The commission has planned to educate the witnesses so that they would feel secure while coming to testify in a case. The commission has decided to ensure safety to these witnesses,” he said.

Meanwhile, Murugan said that the commission has asked the district administrations across the state to list out panchami lands and report to the commission. Similarly, the civic administrations have been asked to ensure the minimum wage of Rs 295 per day and that it should be credited into the workers’ bank accounts.

In Tiruchy, more petitions were received regarding Old Age Pension, house pattas and house allotment under the slum clearance board. The district administration has been asked to submit a report within a week. Later, the commission members inspected the Adi Dravidar Welfare hostels in the district and the projects under slum clearance board.