The Hindu Business Line : Kerala: Vigilance to probe liquor mafia-politico links

This comes in the wake of the report by Justice Mohan Kumar Commission, which probed the liquor tragedy at Kalluvathukkal and other places that claimed 36 lives. The tragedy occurred during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government.

The Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, told newspersons after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the Vigilance would also inquire into the involvement of other persons mentioned in the report, apart from those who had been implicated in the report.

He made it clear that the probe had been ordered in order to avoid similar tragedies in the future and that it was not intended as a witch-hunt.

The Chief Minister also appealed to the Opposition CPM to give up agitation over the tribal issue and cooperate with the Government in its efforts to distribute land to the Adivasis.

He said the Government would soon announce the details regarding the land identified for the distribution. The Government was also prepared to hold discussions with the Opposition parties and Dalit organisations on the process of land distribution. The Chief Minister said he would look into the allegations of repression of media persons by the police as levelled by the Opposition leader, Mr. V.S. Achuthanandan, and take steps if needed.

UNI adds: Names of certain prominent politicians, mostly belonging to the LDF, are understood to have figured in the Mohan Kumar Commission report, which would be tabled during the next session of the State Assembly.

The State Cabinet discussed the report, in detail, today. At the press briefing, the Chief Minister, however, refused to identify the politicians, who were implicated.

Admitting that names of several top politicians figured in the report, the Chief Minister said he could neither disclose the exact number of politicians involved in the case nor identify their political affiliations. ``I can't disclose more details now, because the report should have to be tabled in the State Assembly,'' he added.

He said the Excise and Home Departments had been asked to examine the legal, administrative and policy matters relating to the Commission's recommendations. The Home Department would also examine the role of officials who were involved in the case.

Mr Antony said the Commission's report would be handed over to the Vigilance for further legal steps.

It was the previous Marxist-led Nayanar Government that had appointed Mr Justice V.P. Mohankumar of the Karnataka High Court to inquire into the circumstances that led to the death of 36 people and disablement of about 100 after they consumed illicit liquor at Kalluvathukkal, Pallikkal and Pallipuram in October 2000.

Under pressure from the then Opposition United Democratic Front, the Government had also included politician-abkari nexus in the terms of reference of the inquiry. The panel was asked to probe, among other things, whether there was any patronage/ involvement from any public/ political personality in preparing, smuggling, storing, distributing and selling illicit liquor.

The Commission submitted its report to the government in February this year after collecting evidences from a large number of people. During the period of investigation, the CPI(M) and CPI had initiated party-level action against some of their leaders who had allegedly accepted money from liquor baron Manichan, the prime accused in the case.

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Kerala: Vigilance to probe liquor mafia-politico links