A group of social activists has set up an organisation named ‘Forum for Justice to Women in Kozhikode’ against the backdrop of the alleged “murders and mass burials” at Dharmasthala in Belthangady taluk of coastal Karnataka. They have sought an investigation into the allegations monitored either by the Supreme Court or the High Court of Karnataka.

V.P. Zuhra and C.V. Kumaran, functionaries of the Forum, told the media on Wednesday that the Kerala government should take interest in the issue in view of the claims that even Malayali women were among those allegedly murdered there. The issue came to the limelight recently after a former sanitation worker, associated with the Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014, claimed that he had buried a large number of bodies, including those of many women and minors who had been raped and murdered. The Karnataka government subsequently formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations, and the inquiry is on.

Ms. Zuhra and Mr. Kumaran, however, said that the investigation should be monitored by the court as there was a possibility of the political executive in Karnataka exerting its influence on the SIT. The crimes had reportedly been committed on the premises of a temple whose administration was closely linked with those in power at the Centre, they pointed out.

Ms. Zuhra and Mr. Kumaran said that the authorities should ensure the safety of the whistle-blower, who raised the allegations. Statements of all the people associated with the temple should be recorded. The possibility of a joint probe involving the Kerala Police should be explored to see if women from Kerala too were among those reportedly buried.

They also said that the Union and State governments should announce compensation for the relatives of the victims. A convention would be held in Kozhikode on August 15 to highlight the issue, where human rights activists from Karnataka would participate. The forum has sent memorandums raising their demands to the government, National Human Rights Commission, and the National Commission for Women.