Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday declared that his government will hand over Rs 5 lakh solatium to the family of Sreejith from Kerala, who died of custodial torture in March.
CM Biplab announced the solatium while speaking to media persons in Kochi, after visiting Sreejith’s family in Varappuzha on Thursday morning.
Saying that although it is a “small state”, the people of Tripura have a huge heart, CM Biplab announced that the solatium will be handed over to Sreejith’s family through BJP leaders in Kerala.
After visiting Sreejith’s family, Bilpab also took a dig at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijiayan for failing to visit Sreejith’s family.
“His work is politically motivated, that is why he does not visit this house. You are Kerala’s Chief Minister, not Communist party’s CM,” Biplab said.
Later taking to Twitter, Biplab said: “Announced assistance of five lac rupees from #Tripura Government for the family of Late Shri Sreejith during a visit to his residence in Kochi today. In this moment of sorrow, people of Tripura stand firmly with the family of Sreejith.”
Announced assistance of five lac rupees from #Tripura Government for the family of Late Shri Sreejith during a visit to his residence in Kochi today. In this moment of sorrow, people of Tripura stand firmly with the family of Sreejith. pic.twitter.com/i69eUFPDQt
— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) May 24, 2018
26-year-old Sreejith died in police custody in March after he was wrongly picked up in a case of abetment to suicide.
His custodial death attracted severe criticism against the state police and the LDF government. Having come under pressure, police officers responsible for Sreejith’s death were suspended from service and booked. The Kerala government had also announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to his family and offered a government job to his wife Akhila.
Biplab in Kerala
The Tripura CM arrived in Kerala on Thursday morning to campaign for the Chengannur bye-poll, which is scheduled for May 28. Apart from visiting Sreejith’s family in Kochi, the CM is also set to campaign for BJP’s candidate in Chengannur and speak at a number of public events during the day.
The campaigning ahead of the polls has gained steam, with high-level leaders from the Congress, BJP and CPI (M) arriving in Chengannur.