Attappadi: Madu, the 27-year-old tribal youth who was beaten to death on Thursday by a lynch mob for allegedly stealing rice at Agali in Kerala's Palakkad district, had taken several blows on his head and chest and internal bleeding could have been the cause of death.
This was confirmed in an autopsy report prepared by a team of doctors from Thrissur Medical College Hospital on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Madhu's family.
The youth was allegedly thrashed by local people who accused him of stealing food articles from shops at Agali town on the border of the forest, triggering protests across the state. Though he was rushed to nearby Agali government hospital by the police, he collapsed and died on the way.
Several television channels aired visuals purportedly showing people taking selfies with Madhu with his hands tied. Shocked relatives of Madhu said he was mentally unsound and had been staying away from home for some months.
Twelve people, including two who allegedly had a direct role in the crime, had been detained, police said. Arrests are likely to be made on Saturday also. The accused are likely to be slapped with murder charges.
Chairman of the Scheduled Castes-Tribes Commission B A Mavoi interacted with tribal outfits in Agali on Saturday.
Mannarkkad hartal
Life has come to a standstill in Mannarkkad following a hartal called by the UDF and BJP. Shops were closed and vehicles were not plying as the hartal received total support from the people in the town. However, the KSRTC is plying special services with police protection in view of the PSC examination being held in the schools at Manarkkad.
The incident had triggered widespread protests. Activists of various tribal outfits staged a protest at Attappadi, demanding the arrest of the culprits.
Minister for SC/ST welfare A K Balan said a magisterial probe would be held into the incident and the government would extend all help to the victim's family. Senior Congress leader A K Antony said exemplary punishment should be given to the accused and the state government should give compensation to Madhu's kin. Terming the incident as shocking and shameful, leader of the opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the law and order situation had collapsed in the state.
