Clemency rejection: CPI calls for fast on Sept 3

CHENNAI: The state council of the Communist Party of India today announced its

members would observe a fast across the State on September 3 urging the

cancellation of the death sentences awarded to three persons convicted

in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Calling upon all its alliance paries to take part, a party release

said the fast would be observed in district headquarters across the

state.CPI state secretary D Pandian had also written a letter to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in this regard, it said.

Claiming

that the case against the convicts "has not been completely and

comprehensively proved," Pandian said "there remain many unanswered

questions that have been conveniently swept under the carpet for the

sake of a speedy trial and conviction".Murugan, Santhan and

Perarivalan are scheduled to be hanged in the Central Prison in Vellore

on September 9, after their mercy petitions were rejected by the

President recently.Scores of pro-Tamil groups and leaders,

including MDMK founder Vaiko have staged fasts and organised human

chains among other forms of protest across the state even as prison

authorities are gearing up for execution of the three convicts, who are

likely to move the court on Monday against the Presidential rejection of

the clemency petitions.