Alleging the custodial death of the tribal youth in the Ainthapali police station here as a case of murder, the State Congress on Wednesday demanded Rs 30 lakh as compensation for the family of the victim and a judicial probe into the incident by a sitting High Court judge.
A party delegation led by former PCC president Jayadev Jena met the family members of Abinash Munda, who is stated by police to have committed suicide by hanging himself in the police lockup of the Ainthapali police station last week.
“We demand the matter be investigated by a judicial panel headed by a sitting High Court judge. The State Government must provide Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the deceased’s family,” Jena said.
Refuting the incident as suicide, Jena alleged that police killed him.
“It is not suicide; rather, it can be dubbed as murder. Police are under the control of the State Government. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who holds the Home portfolio, should resign on moral grounds for failing to maintain law and order in the State,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Congress State ST Cell president and former MP Pradeep Majhi said the Congress would continue to fight for the rights of tribals and Dalits.
“The death of Abinash clearly proves that the tribals and Dalits in the State are not safe. As we have lost trust in the State administration, we will stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on February 25 protesting the incidents of Sambalpur custodial death and Kunduli gangrape and suicide. later, a memorandum will be submitted to the President of India on February 29 or 30,” said Majhi.
MlAs Krushna Sagaria and Naba KIshore Das and Congress leaders were also part of the delegation which met Abinash’s family.