NEW DELHI: Tensions continued in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi for the third consecutive day even as CM Palaniswami defended the action of the police saying that they had fired at the protesters in self-defence.
On Tuesday, 12 people were killed in police firing as they were staging an agitation against the expansion of Sterlite Copper in the town. Here are the top developments from the day:
* Tamil Nadu CM says cops fired at protesters in self-defence
Tamil Nadu chief minister EK Palaniswami blamed “certain political parties”, “NGOs” and “anti-social elements” behind the violence.
“The entire episode which happened was primarily because of certain political parties, NGOs and anti-social elements, who took protestors to a wrong path. If someone is attacked, the natural course would be to defend and safeguard themselves. This is what has been done by the police in response,” he said.
Centre seeks a report from the state government
Home minister Rajnath Singh extended his condolences to the victims and said that Centre has asked for a report from the state government.
“Deeply pained by the loss of lives during protests in Thoothukudi. PM is also concerned about the situation and is pained by the loss of lives. MHA has taken cognisance of the situation and asked for a report from the state government. Our thoughts are with the people of Thoothukudi,” Singh said.
District collector orders inquiry into the shooting
“My first priority is to bring back normalcy. As far as the violence, the shooting and who gave the orders for the shooting is concerned, an inquiry will be done by a judge appointed by the Tamil Nadu government, said district collector Sandeep Nanduri.
MK Stalin detained by police
DMK working president MK Stalin detained by police as he staged a protest outside the Tamil Nadu secretariat. DMK workers clashed with the police as they protested against their leader’s detention.
“Even after the death of 12 (13 as per the latest reports) innocent people, no action has been taken against the culprits. CM has become ineffective. He did not bother to visit the district and meet the people. Therefore, we demand that CM must resign immediately, DGP Rajendran must resign too,” Stalin said. The party also announced a state-wide ‘bandh’ on May 25 to protest against the killings.
A plea entered in Delhi HC seeking NHRC’s visit to the site of the shooting incident
A Tamil Nadu based advocate moved a plea in Delhi high court seeking its direction to NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) to visit the location and conduct a separate inquiry into the violence, instead of asking for a report from state police and chief secretary of the state. The court is likely to hear the petition tomorrow.
TN Pollution Control Board orders disconnection of power supply to Sterlite Copper’s smelter
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has directed district collector of Thoothukudi to disconnect power supply to Sterlite Copper’s smelter. Board found the unit was “carrying out activities to resume production” despite being told not to do so until its licence to operate is renewed, reported ANI.
Internet remains suspended
Internet services to remain suspended for five days Thoothukudi. The services were suspended from 9 pm yesterday. Till now, the police have detained 67 people for indulging in violence.
It was a massacre, almost like Jallianwala Bagh: Ghulam Nabi Azad
“State government knew that this being 100th day of agitation, it’s going to be bigger. They should’ve made better arrangements to maintain law and order but nothing was done. They simply resorted to firing. It was a massacre, almost like Jallianwala Bagh,” Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.
District collector and superintendent of police transferred
Yesterday, in the wake of the ongoing violence in Thoothukudi’s Anna Nagar, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday transferred the district’s collector, N. Venkatesh, and superintendent of police P. Mahendran.
Prasanta Patnaik