Vinayakan family to fast on Thiruvonam

THRISSUR: The family of Dalit youth Vinayakan of Engadiyur will sit on a fast on Thiruvonam day before Thrissur corporation office demanding the arrest of the policemen who allegedly tortured the boy at Pavaratty police station forcing him to commit suicide even as allegations that the police has been pressuring the family and friend to change their statements in the case have surfaced.

Vinayakan’s father Chakandan Krishnan, mother Omana and brother Vishnu will be leading the one-day fast. The protest is organised by a forum of Dalit groups. Vinayakan and his friend Sarath were picked up by the police on July 17 alleging that they were ganja peddlers and chain snatchers. Vinayakan committed suicide at his house the next day. The postmortem report of the youth mentioned that he was subjected to physical torture in the 24 hours before his death.

Sarath said in his statement to the investigating Crime Branch officers about the torture Vinayakan was subjected to at the station. Meanwhile, Vinayakan’s relatives said they and Sarath were under severe pressure from Pavaratty police to change their statements. “The accused policemen are getting protection from the police and we want them arrested immediately,” Vinayakan’s father Krishnan said.