Army trying to cover up: Vaiko

CHENNAI: MDMK chief Vaiko on Monday strongly condemned the murder of 13-year-old Dilson. Even as the Army maintained that it had no armed personnel on the facility where Dilson had been shot in the head, Vaiko said attempts to cover up the incident could not take place without the knowledge of higher officials in the Army.“Children plucking fruit from the trees in the vicinity of the quarters can in no way be a threat to the family of Army personnel. The youngster was mercilessly shot in the head. Further, those who shot him covered his body with leaves and washed off bloodstains. This destruction of evidence cannot happen without the knowledge of higher officials,” said Vaiko.Further, he alleged the Army was trying to cover up the brutality of its men by saying there were no armed personnel on the premises.Vaiko demanded that the Army hand over the perpetrator to the police and urged the State government to ensure this happened. He also conveyed his condolences to the boy’s family.