THEKKADY: The Justice Mytheen Kunju Commission, constituted to go into the Thekkady boat tragedy, held its first sitting here on Monday. The commission took the statements of a slew of those connected directly and indirectly to the tragedy as well as those representing a few organisations concerned.
Merchant Navy Welfare Association general secretary K P Sardar, Capt S Pullad of the Seamen's Welfare Guild and lawyers V P Surendran and Harish deposed before the commission.
The KTDC officials also presented their version.
V M Syam Kumar, representing the Indian Registry of Shipping, a private accredited organisation which has been in the dock for giving a clean chit to the illfated boat, and an official of the Chennaibased Vignesh Marine Engineering Ltd, which manufactured the boat, gave their statements before the commission. The exercise began at 11 a.m. and ended by around 3 p.m. The commission and the members made an onthespot inspection of the Jalakanyaka lying on the shore.
The commission said the second sitting would be held here on January 22.
Top KTDC officials will be asked to present details of the purchase of the boat as well as the findings of the Crime Branch which probed the tragedy.
The boat driver, laskar and others will be summoned for the next sitting.
However,indications are that the further sittings would be held elsewhere, taking into consideration the convenience of the kith and kin of the victims.
Meanwhile, it is expected that the tenure of the commission, slated to end on December 29 this year, will be extended further to facilitate a proper inquiry.