Kummanam Rajasekharan begins one-day fast in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan began a 24-hour hunger strike before the secretariat here on Tuesday protesting against the killing of tribal youth Madhu by a mob in Attapady last week.  Mr Ramvichar Netam, Rajya Sabha MP and ST Morcha national president, who was also former home minister in Chhattisgarh, inaugurated the fast. Hundreds of workers of the BJP and NDA  tied their hands as a symbolic protest at the venue of the fast.

Addressing a protest meeting, Mr Kummanam demanded the resignation of  SC/ST development minister A. K. Balan as he had failed to protect the tribals in the state.  He also sought a white paper on the funds provided to the tribals, payment of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Madhu and government job to a member. Mr Kummanam alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is the first accused  in the murder  case.  The CM has not bothered to visit the house of Madhu or the mortuary at Attapady, he said.

"Murders are increasing in the state.  The CPM men did not even spare a pregnant woman who was kicked by them resulting in the death of the baby," said  Mr Kummanam. Mr  Ramvichar Netam condemned Madhu's lynching and said every  year, crores of rupees was  provided for the welfare of  adivasis. But their plight was increasing.  Madhu's death should be discussed in Parliament, he said.