Chennai

Describing the Thoothukudi killings as “human massacre”, DMK organising secretary R S Bharati, in his representation to the CS, which was sent by post, listed out the turn of events on the fateful day the killings had happened and the treatment of the issue by the AIADMK regime in the following days and said, “To instil confidence in the minds of public and to apprehend the real accused who indiscriminately opened fire and brutally lathi-charged the innocents and the person who have ordered shooting, an independent agency like CBI should be requested for probe. Therefore, the investigation must be handed over to the CBI so as to ensure a thorough investigation.”

The petition also requested the government to direct the district police to register FIR against DGP Rajendra, Thoothukudi SP P Mahendran and Tirunelveli DIG Kapil Kumar and other policemen who indulged in the shooting.

He said it’s on record that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board itself has vouched about unsafeness in operating the Sterlite Plant which lead to revocation of the consent order and therefore there is all the more justification in the people’s demand and protest before district Collector’s office to close the Sterlite plant as it is causing great health hazards.

DMK organising secretary said that firing on the innocent public, that took place on May 22, who had been agitating for hundred continuous days with their family members including children, was inhumane. As many as 13 people were reported to have been killed as per the official statement of the Government.

However, eyewitness claim that more than 60 persons were feared to be killed, as per true and correct information furnished by the residents and relatives of the deceased, he added. He said more than 300 people were grievously injured and were admitted in government hospitals for treatment.

He said many of them are very serious and the hospital authorities are fearing to admit and treat them due to pressures from district administration to play down the number of victims in the said gruesome attack. Absolutely there had been a mala fide attempt on part of police to join hands with government and district administration to eliminate the protesters of the plant to support the Sterlite management. The police and the Government have suppressed the truth as to the number of death and injured.

He said the government has announced Rs 10 lakhs initially and after the angry outbursts of the affected people, it has now been increased to Rs 20 lakhs. However, it still remains a pittance considering the loss of lives and loss of livelihood.

As suggested by DMK working president and leader of Opposition MK Stalin, at least Rs 1 crore should be paid to family of persons who died due to shooting and injured should be treated free of cost and should be paid at least Rs 10 lakhs each.

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