Date:27/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/27/stories/2004092712530500.htm

Tamil Nadu

Fernandes seeks CBI probe into Venkatesa Pannaiyar's death

By Our Staff Reporter

TUTICORIN, SEPT. 26. The former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, today said the State Government should order an enquiry by the CBI to bring out the truth behind the assassination of Venkatesa Pannaiyar, who was killed in a police shoot out in Chennai last year.

Speaking amidst thousands of surcharged leaders and youths of Nadar community, who gathered at Moolakkarai, native of the deceased, on the first anniversary of Venkatesan today, Mr. Fernandes said the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, the MDMK general secretary, Vaiko, and the PMK founder, S. Ramadoss, should collectively make efforts for the CBI enquiry which would be supported by the National Democratic Alliance.

``If it failed, people's movement would be launched to get justice,'' he said.

Mr. Fernandes visited Ammanpuram and placed a wreath where Venkatesan was buried.

Special poojas were performed at the tomb in which the family members of Venkatesan, including his widow and the Tiruchendur MP, V. Radhika Selvi, and thousands of Nadar youth participated.