07-Jul-2024 04:23 PM
1516
Chennai, July 7 (Reporter) The Madras High Court on Sunday said the
body of slain BSP Tamil Nadu Unit President K Armstrong should
be buried at Pothur village near Red Hills in Tiruvallur district of the
State.
Resuming hearing on an urgent plea filed by his wife Ms Porkodi seeking
permission to bury the body at the BSP party office in Perambur, Ms Justice
V Bhavani Subbaroyan said there was no problem in erecting a memorial
for him at the party office after getting permission from the state government.
While stating that Armstrong, who was hacked to death on Friday night,
should be given a dignified burial, the Judge also directed the police to
provide adequate security to ensure that the last rites were held peacefully.
Mr Armstrong's family has accepted it after the government too gave its nod.
Mr Armstrong's body was kept in a private school in Perambur for public to
pay their last respects, where BSP Supremo and former Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister Mayawati and leaders of various political parties including
TNCC President and Congress Legislature Party leader K.Selvaperunthagai,
VCK leader and Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan, Naam Tamizhar Katchi
and actor-producer-turned politician Seeman and others.
Earlier, the Judge accepted the government's stand refusing permission to
bury his body at the party office as it was located in a thickly populated area
and the approach roads were very narrow.
The court suggested that his body could be buried in three alternative sites
identified by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) as a large number of
people could be present.
The court also did not accept another location suggested by the petitioner
as that location too was in a narrow stretch.
The Judge said the body could not be kept in the school premises for long
and it should be buried today itself. She also said the school would re-open
tomorrow after the weekend holidays.
Soon after the High Court order, works relating to digging a pit at the burial site
has begun and the final journey of Armstrong was expected to begin soon...////...