KOCHI: CPM state secretary Kodidyeri Balakr-ishnan on Saturday demanded a judicial inquiry into the Fort Kochi boat tragedy covering all issues related to it so that such tragedies are not repeated.
Addressing a press conference at the Ernakulam Press Club here, he demanded that the judicial inquiry should also find out what all steps were taken after such tragedies previously and probes conducted after that.
Mr Balakrishnan also sought to know how the passenger ferry that was involved in the mishap got fitness certificate after in service for 35 years.
Kodiyeri said that his party and the LDF would exert maximum pressure for judicial probe as it would only be able to bring out the truth.
The CPM will organise a protest meet on September 1 at Kochi to press for this.
He also said that the ports department and Kochi Corporation should shoulder the responsibility for the tragedy which is one of the worst in recent times.
He said the compensation announced by the state government for the victims should be raised, and it should be declared as a package.
He also said that the water transport policy drafted earlier should be implemented at the earliest. CPM Ernakulam district secretary P. Rajeev was also present.
