TRIVANDRUM, 6 October 2003 — Around 400 Muslim families who were displaced after communal violence in a coastal hamlet in Kerala in May will return to their homes following a reconciliatory meeting between Hindu and Muslim leaders.
Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) signed an agreement to resolve their differences amicably at a meeting at Chief Minister A.K. Antony’s residence that went on till past midnight Saturday. Nine people, including eight Hindus, were killed in violence in Marad in Calicut district on May 2, prompting Muslims there to flee their homes.
“The terms of agreement for a settlement of the issue have been reached and the matter of a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the Marad episode would be discussed by the Cabinet next week,” Antony told newsmen here yesterday. “Now that the two parties have come to an understanding on preparing to maintain peace at Marad, my request to all people in Kerala is to see that nothing untoward happens. The 400 families will be brought back shortly,” he said.
BJP state general secretary P.P. Mukundan said: “I am satisfied (with the talks) and there will be no problem in rehabilitating those who have fled from Marad.”
The agreements that have been reached are a compensation of one million rupees each to the families of the eight dead, 500,000 rupees for those who have sustained severe injuries and 300,000 rupees to other injured.
“One member from the family of the dead would be given a government job depending on their qualification,” said state Finance Minister K. Sankaranarayanan.
Leader of the opposition V.S. Achuthanandan, however, criticized the proposal to order a CBI probe. “This government should not dance to the tune of the Sangh Parivar and Hindu communal forces.
“This is purely a state subject. Already the crime branch probe is over and a judicial inquiry has been announced. We all know what happened to (Deputy Prime Minister) L.K. Advani. The CBI probed the Babri Mosque case and he was let off.”
