The inquest sought on the three youths fatally shot by police on Nov 13 of last year in Glenmarie, Shah Alam was a delay tactic to deflect public anger, said three activists who claim that the victims were murdered in cold blood.

NONE In a joint statement today, human rights lawyer Fadia Nadwa Fikri and PKR vice-presidents N Surendran and Nurul Izzah Anwar said the call for the inquest came only after the public release of autopsy report details which suggested foul play.

"There is absolutely no necessity for an inquest as there is clear and incontrovertible evidence that the three young victims were deliberately shot to death by police," they said.

Yesterday, the group said the autopsy reports had totally contradicted the police version of events that the victims charged at the police with weapons.

"This is inconsistent with the post-mortem finding of 45 degree angle bullet trajectory indicating the victims were taken into custody and were kneeling before being shot.

"Also inconsistent with the police version, two of the victims had bullet wounds at the side of the head," said the group.

Justice being delayed

Meanwhile, the three expressed shock that the police have yet to complete investigations on the shooting.

"Considering that seven months have passed since the shooting, this is clearly another excuse and attempt to delay taking any action on the policemen involved," they said.

NONE The three reiterated the demand of the victims' families that all police personnel involved in the shooting must be charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for premeditated murder.

They added that all police personnel who gave false statements on the incident should be charged under Section 203 of the Penal Code.

"The attorney-general must ensure this is done without further delay. The victims' families are entitled to swift justice and closure," they said.