Thiruvananthapuram: Terming the lynching of tribal youth Madhu at Agali as a shame to the state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly on Monday that the government would ensure maximum punishment to the accused. “The lynching of Madhu is a shame to Kerala which boasts of being a highly literate and civilised society. Apart from ensuring the maximum punishment to the accused, the state government will also initiate steps to avert such incidents in future,” he said in a written reply to a submission made by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala.
Already, 16 accused in the case were held and the principal chief conservator of forest (vigilance) was directed to probe the involvement of any forest officials in the incident and give a report in three days. Stringent action would be taken against any officials found to have helped the accused. The government announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh from the chief minister's distress relief fund and Rs 8.25 lakh under SC/ST atrocities prevention laws to Madhu’s family, Mr Vijayan said.
