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Long March
for Justice for STF Victims
20 – 30 April, 2008 From
Sathyamangalam to Chennai
30.04.2008
Members
of the “Campaign for Relief and Rehabilitation of Victims of the
STF violence” handed over to TN government the list of victims
affected by Special Task Force of police set up to nab the
forest brigand Veerappan.
Thiru
G.K. Mani, ( President of the PMK Party) Thirukachi Arumugom,
Ramanathan, Velmurugan and Raja, M.L.A.s of Pattali Makkal
Katchi (PMK), Thiru Shivapunniyam, Gunasekharan, Ramachandran
and Ulaganathan, Thiru Selva Perunthagai M.L.A. of Viduthali
Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Thiru V.P. Gunasekaran of Tamil Nadu
Tribals Sangam, Balamurugan of People’s Union of Civil
Liberties, members of Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, and Tamil Nadu
Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) along with Henri Tiphagne of
People’s Watch, C.J. Rajan and V. Arul Raj of Citizens for Human
Rights Movement handed over the dossier containing the list of
the victims.
Mr. M.
Karunanidhi, the CM of Tamilnadu was scheduled to receive the
delegation. As he took ill and did not attend the Assembly, his
Secretary Mr. Devaraj IAS received the delegation.
This
delegation was a sequel to the “LONG MARCH TO CHENNAI” which
started in Satyamangalam on April 20 demanding justice to STF
victims. Though the government did not approve the LONG MARCH,
thousands of victims, members of the campaign and other
supporters gathered at Sathiyamangalam in Erode District and
courted arrest in large numbers.
The
march continued for the second day from Anthiyur as per schedule
only to be disrupted by police and once again human rights
activists under the leadership of Henri Tiphagne courted arrest.
By this
time it became an issue in the State Assembly. MLAs Thiru G.K.
Moni and Sivapunniyam raised the issue of STF victims. The CM
responded by assuring on the floor of the Assembly that he would
consider if the list of victims was handed over to him.
Today’s
delegation was in response to his call for information. A total
of 887 victims have been identified by People’s Watch and other
organisations and the list could be bigger if victims residing
in Karnataka are also taken into account. (The list is
attached)
Mr.
Devaraj IAS assured on behalf of the government that the matter
will be given high priority.
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