Wednesday, October 5 2005 14:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: Stung by the custodial death of a youth at a police station here recently, Kerala Government today (Oct 5, 2005) decided to dismantle all crime squads under circle inspectors attached to police station across the state.

Talking to reporters here after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the death of Udyakumar at Fort Police station occurred despite strict instructions to police officers that 'third-degree methods' should not be used to prove a crime.

Chandy said as the crime squad attached to the circle inspector had taken the youth into custody, it had been decided to dismantle all crime squads.

A case of murder has been registered against two police constables 'identified with the death' and they have been placed under suspension, he said. It had come to light that one more police person was involved and action would be taken against him also, he said.

Terming the incident as 'unfortunate' and 'painful', Chandy said the Government would not show any leniency towards the police personnel involved in the incident.

But, at the same time, the Government would not make scapegoat of any police personnel who have not done anything wrong. The case of Udyakumar, who died in police custody after he was picked up from a park on September 27, had been handed over to Crime Branch, he said.

The Government would also construct a house for Udyakumar's mother, Chandy said.