SIT should probe into unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has submitted its report related to a complaint on mass burial of bodies in Dharmasthala village filed by Chinnaiah. It has to investigate all cases of unnatural deaths reported in Dharmasthala village in the last 20 years, said activist Jyoti Anantha Subba Rao, in Mangaluru on Friday.

Talking to reporters, Ms. Rao, who is associated with ‘Kondavaru Yaaru’ (who killed (women)) campaign, said the SIT has submitted a 3,900-page report to a Belthangady court regarding the false complaint filed by Chinnaiah and the persons who influenced him to do so. The court is set to take decision on taking cognisance of this report on December 26.

“We want the SIT to make comprehensive investigation into the unnatural deaths reported in Dharmasthala village in the last 20 years, as mentioned in the notification of the government when it constituted the SIT. Our campaign has nothing to do with the false complaint filed by Chinnaiah. Let it take any amount of time, but we want a thorough investigation (into unnatural deaths),”she said.

Presently the SIT is being pressured by a section of ruling party members. The government should change some of the officers in the SIT and get the issue thoroughly investigated, she alleged.

To press for thorough investigation, members of ‘Kondavaru Yaaru’ will take out a silent procession for about 1 km on December 16 in Belthangady from 10 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Later, there will be a meeting of women demanding justice for the deceased women, Ms. Rao said.

Activists Prasanna Ravi and Geeta Surathkal also spoke.