DMK petitions TN Guv, seeks probe into Sasi Perumal's death

DMK chief Karunanidhi today petitioned Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah for a probe into the twin issues of death of Gandhian activist Sasi Perumal and alleged attack here on student protestors demanding prohibition.
"We request you to order a fair and impartial judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court Judge to go into the circumstances leading to the death of Sasi Perumal and his family has to be adequately compensated for his death," he said in a memorandum submitted to the Governor.
On 31 July, Sasi Perumal died during a stir against a TASMAC outlet in Kanyakumari District. The death trigerred a slew of protests across the State and intensified demands for prohibition.

Describing the socio-political scenario replete with a series of protests seeking dry law in Tamil Nadu, he alleged that the Gandhian's juvenile daughter was inhumanly handled by police during one such agitation in support of prohibition.
He pointed out how 11-year-old Kaviarasi, daughter of Sasi Perumal, was recently detained (briefly) by police, allegedly contravening the Juvenile Justice Act.
"She (Kaviarasi) was inhumanly handled and dragged into a police van," the DMK chief alleged in the memorandum.

Citing the protests and subsequent arrest of 15 students of a college here, he alleged police had "indiscriminately and in an inhuman manner, lathicharged the students, causing grievous injuries to many of them."

He sought a judicial inquiry into it, medical aid for them, dropping of all charges and their immediate release.
Pointing to the agitations by various groups and cases filed by police against them, he appealed for dropping of all "false cases" against political leaders, cadres, general public and students, as the protests were aimed at ending the evil of liquor.
He also urged the Governor to direct the State to implement prohibition. The memorandum was submitted by DMK leaders, including Duraimurugan and A V Velu.
Sasi Perumal's funeral took place today. His mortal remains were interred in Salem after continued protests by his family members, supporters and parties including the MDMK seeking prohibition.