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Kerala opposition, government lock horns over custodial death
Thiruvananthapuram: The custodial death of a Dalit youth in Kottayam echoed in the state legislative assembly on Monday, with the Left opposition demanding immediate action against the police officials concerned.
The Kerala government continued to stick to its stand for a judicial probe into the incident.
“You never demanded a judicial probe. Since we have nothing to hide or to support anyone, we announced a judicial probe into the custodial death and will see that adequate compensation is given to the victim’s family,” Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on the floor of the Kerala assembly.
The opposition Left Front is observing a dawn-to-dusk shutdown in Kottayam district on Monday to protest the death of 40-year-old labourer Siby in police custody.
The opposition is demanding strict action against officials of Marangatupally police station who allegedly beat Siby to death. He was picked up on June 29 for a drunken brawl.
Police, however, said Siby suffered a head injury before he was taken into custody. A 17-year-old boy has been detained for injuring him during the brawl.
Siby was admitted to Kottayam Medical College hospital where he passed away on Saturday.
“It was very recently that Chennithala announced that special consideration will be extended to Dalits at police stations. And look, what has happened. Is beating to death the so-called special consideration,” asked former Kerala assembly speaker and senior CPI-M legislator K. Radhakrishnan, while seeking leave for an adjournment motion.
Chennithala, however, hit back at former state home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who kept on interrupting him while he was speaking.
“When you were the home minister (2006-11), 13 custodial deaths took place and you never did what you are asking now. But since we have nothing to hide and none to defend, we have announced a judicial probe and we will sit together to decide what sort of judicial probe should be held,” said Chennithala.
The Left opposition, smarting under a recent by-election defeat, was not satisfied. Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, demanded immediate arrest of the guilty police officials.
With the government standing firm on a judicial probe, the opposition members resorted to a sit-in in the well of the House, forcing the speaker to rush through the listed business of the day and adjourn the assembly for the day.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.