Kerala Chief Minister Assures Action In Journalist's Death Case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Saturday said his government would do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for the death of a journalist in Thiruvananthapuram.

In his Facebook post, he also said that the government would take necessary steps to improve the safety of journalists.

IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman was arrested in Thiruvananthapuram Saturday for causing the death of a journalist by allegedly driving in an inebirated state.

Venkitaraman, also a Medical doctor and Fullbright Fellow, allegedly drove a car in a rash manner and hit the stationary motorcycle of K Muhammed Basheer, Bureau Chief of Malayalam newspaper 'Siraj', at Museum road in the heart of the city as he was returning home from work.

"We have taken a serious view of the matter related to the accident. We will do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for Basheer's death," Mr Vijayan said.

The chief minister said the death of Basheer has caused much grief.

"When I saw his face for the last time, I felt like a family member has left us," he said.

The Chief Minister also said it was the peculiar professional circumstances that forced Basheer to travel at that time in the night.

Mr Vijayan also said that the government would take necessary steps to expand the insurance scheme available for journalists.

"We will expand the scope of the insurance policy available for journalists in order to overcome the complex situations and secure the safety and future of the families," he said.