Nitin Agarwal to probe police excesses against Mahija

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Crime branch ADGP

Nitin Agarwal

will conduct a fresh probe into the allegations of police excesses against

Mahija

Asokan, mother of late Jishnu Pranoy, and other relatives that happened on April 5 in front of the police headquarters. An order in this regard was issued by additional chief secretary (home)

Subrata Biswas

on Monday as directed by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The CM, while speaking to Mahija over the phone on Saturday evening, assured that her complaint would be looked into and action would be initiated against errant policemen. It is learnt that the fresh inquiry by Agarwal will be an attempt to amend the report filed by Thiruvananthapuram range IG

Manoj Abraham

that found nothing wrong in the use of force by the police to remove Jishnu’s family from the DGP office premises. j Abraham also attributed conspiracy by five people – three of whom were cleared by Jishnu’s family of the allegation – behind the crime.

The health condition of Mahija and Sreejith, who were admitted to the medical college hospital, improved on Monday. “Mahija has not been taking solid food for over three months. She has health problems related to that. Sreejith also has difficulties caused by hunger strike. Both of them are being administered drips”, said a medical bulletin from the hospital. A special medical team led by medical college superintendent is monitoring their health.

Meanwhile, health minister K K Shylaja and CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran visited Mahija and Sreejith in hospital on Monday. Kanam, whose visit on Sunday, paved the way for a settling the issue , had a detailed talk with the family members on Monday too. He assured them of all support from the LDF and the government.

Another visitor was CPM politburo member M A

Baby

who had been the first from the CPM-fold to criticize the police action against Mahija and family. He later said his Facebook post criticizing police action was misinterpreted by the UDF and the BJP.

Baby congratulated the LDF government for taking the initiative to settle the protest. “The arrest of Sakthivel is the proof of government’s will power. Our government and party always consider public sentiments. We will also do our best to streamline the professional educational sector,” Baby said in a Facebook post after the hospital visit.