IG's death institutional murder, not suicide: CPM

The state secretariat of the CPM has expressed anguish over the death of senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, terming it an institutional murder and attributing it to caste-based discrimination. In a statement issued by CPM state secretary Prem Chand here today, the party has demanded a prompt and impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the IPS officer and action against those found responsible.

"The details of the circumstances and events revealed in the officer's final note are shocking and point towards a pattern of harassment, humiliation and discrimination rooted in caste bias. It is deeply regrettable that a senior police officer had to end his life for exposing caste bias and oppression," the statement said.

The CPM claimed that it was not an isolated incident of discrimination, which was ingrained in society and had been systematically strengthened since the BJP/RSS came to power.

"Dalits, tribals and minorities are being attacked in the name of Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma, and those responsible for the attacks are being given administrative and political protection. An instance of this caste bias was seen in the shoe-throwing attack on the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court," it said.

The party expressed surprise that the government or the Chief Minister had not yet publicly stated anything or assured the public that concrete steps would be taken in this regard. "The party calls upon all sections of society to raise their voices strongly against this indifference of the government so that the government is forced to assure the public that it will govern in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and work to eliminate all forms of discrimination," the statement asserted.