Fast by OPS group seeking indep'dent probe into Jaya's death

Rebel AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam's faction today said it will observe one day fast in all district capitals across Tamil Nadu on March 8, seeking an independent probe into the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
This was announced by party presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan in a statement here.
"The silence maintained by the Tamil Nadu government on the issue has caused worry to the people of the state and to the true loyalists of Amma (J Jayalailthaa)," he said.
"While Panneerselvam, who was holding the Chief Minister's post, had said that an enquiry led by an independent judge will be appointed to probe the cause of her (Jayalalithaa's) death, it is not clear why the present government is hesitating to do so," he said.

To urge the present government to speed up the process, a one day fast will be held in all district capitals on March 8 from 9 AM to 5 PM, he said.
Madhusudhanan requested AIADMK cadres and members of the public to take part in it.

He also requested Chennai Police Commissioner S George to grant them permission to conduct the agitation in a peaceful manner.
Earlier in the day, a 12-member delegation of AIADMK MPs owing allegiance to Panneerselvam had called on President Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi and sought a probe into the circumstances surrounding Jayalalithaa's death.
Led by Rajya Sabha member V Maithreyan, the delegation also submitted a memorandum in this regard to the President at Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

In their memorandum, they sought steps for instituting a probe (a judicial enquiry or a CBI probe), which may be decided by the President.