Sit finds enough proof8217; against ADMK

COIMBATORE, FEBRUARY 6: There was substantial evidence to establish the involvement of AIADMK men in the burning of a bus at Dharmapuri on...

COIMBATORE, FEBRUARY 6: There was substantial evidence to establish the involvement of AIADMK men in the burning of a bus at Dharmapuri on February 2, in which three girl students were killed, the police official heading the investigation said here on Sunday.

The Special Investigation Team SIT had collected substantial evidence during preliminary investigation against some of the arrested AIADMK men, Inspector Genral of Police Crime Branch CID, Paramveer Singh told newsmen outside the room where the probe was being conducted at the university campus.

8220;We will prove the charges,8221; he said.He said eight separate teams had been formed, with one SP posted at Coimbatore and two at Dharmapuri. The first phase of enquiry was completed on Saturday at Dharmapuri, he said.

Stating that eight persons were in custody, including two who surrendered, he expressed the hope that the three persons, who actually torched the bus, would also be arrested.

The investigation was expected to be over in three months andthe chargesheet would be filed immediately after, he said.

Twelve persons had so far been examined in the second phase on Sunday, he added.

Singh, however, said that a clear picture would emerge only after the completion of the entire investigation. The arrest of the three would throw more light into the investigation, he said.

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8220;We are fully convinced with the genuineness of the arrest that have been effected so far, and there are no doubts about their involvement in the case,8221; he said.

He said the investigating agency would look into the lapses and laxity8217; of Dharmapuri police and the district administration as alleged by the students.Replying to a question on politicisation of the issue, Singh said 8220;it is a cruel and heinous crime that has been committed on the innocent students and added that the agency would investigate the case in a professional manner.To another question, Singh said the chargesheet in the case would be placed within three months, as per the statute requirement.

He said theagency has conducted the investigations by visiting the place of occurrence and was trying to enquire with the available witnesses.

Saying the students were completely shaken after witnessing the gory incident, Singh said the enquiry would be conducted with the students, who were part of the tour.

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Meanwhile, a delegation of the students is leaving tonight for Chennai to meet Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. State Sport Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and university vice chancellor S Kannaiyan are also accompanying them, according to university sources.

The delegation is likely to meet Karunanidhi tomorrow, they said.Earlier in Pondicherry, a silent procession of students, proposed to be taken out by the DMK youth wing here on Monday against the bus torching incident has been postponed, according to the youth wing leader V J Ramesh.

In a statement here today, he said the decision to postpone the protest programme was in response to the directive of DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhiand the appeal by Pondicherry Chief Minister R V Janakiraman.

AIADMK secretary in Pondicherry K Natarajan, had earlier appealed to student organisations to postpone the programme, as he apprehended trouble-making by anti-social elements in view of Jayalalitha8217;s visit here to canvass support for the party8217;s candidate in the by-poll slated for February 17.