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In February, an Adivasi youth, Madhu, was beaten to death by a mob for allegedly stealing food in Attappady, Kerala. Five months later, Madhu’s younger sister, Chandrika, has been recruited by the state government in Kerala police force.

On Monday, Kerala police recruited Chandrika and 73 others from the Scheduled Tribe in the police department. Along with state police chief Loknath Behera, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan felicitated the candidates during the ceremony.


Saddened by brother’s lynching

Chandrika had already cleared her written exam and was waiting for her interview call that was scheduled for February 24. Just a few days before her interview, she was informed about her brother’s lynching.

The episode of Madhu’s lynching was a turning moment for Chandrika and it also triggered many protests in the state demanding justice for him. According to The Quint, Chandrika initially was reluctant to go for the interview, but her family members forced her to go.

“I somehow reached the interview centre at Attappady Hills Area Development Society. I was the first person to be interviewed, as soon as I entered the room I could not control my tears and started crying,” said Chandrika who is now part of Kerala Police department. “I dedicate this job to my ettan (elder brother). Madhu always wanted me to get a government job,” a teary-eyed Chandrika said.

Recalling her childhood memories, she said that it was her dream to become a cop, but she was not sure that her dream would come true. She said her mother is her role model. Her father died, when she was 2 years old. Chandrika’s mother, an Anganwadi worker, took care of the family. Madhu was the eldest son of the three children. He was not living with the family for the past few months.

“Our family has been slowly recovering from the shock of Ettan’s death,” she adds.

Chandrika’s four-year-old daughter Anushka and husband Murugan also accompanied her to Thiruvananthapuram where the ceremony took place.

In March, CM accompanied by Health Minister KK Shylaja met Madhu’s mother, sister and other relatives and assured them that proper investigation will be conducted in Madhu’s death. At least 16 people were arrested on charges of lynching.

The new scheme, under which Chandrika and other members from ST strata were recruited, has been recently instated by the state government across Palakkad, Malappuram and Wayanad districts, with the objective of increasing the representation of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the governance sector.

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Editor : The Logical Indian

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