Stalin cancels Bengaluru trip, to visit kin of deceased in anti-Sterlite protests

The Leader of Opposition, who met chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan at the Secretariat in the company of his deputy legislature party leader Duraimurugan on Tuesday evening, said, “I had planned to visit Bengaluru for the swearing in ceremony of Karnataka chief minister designate HD Kumarasamy. I have cancelled the trip. I am going to Thoothukudi to meet the families of victims in my capacity as Leader of Opposition on Wednesday.”

Accusing the police of obeying the government’s orders and resorting to lathi charge and firing at the protesters, Stalin said, “The chief secretary told us that nine people have died so far, and two IAS officers have been sent to Thoothukudi. The death count will increase. Many people are in a critical condition.”

“The protests have been going on for months. This morning, the protesters were holding a rally when the police obeyed the government’s order and wielded batons against people and then fired at them,” said Stalin.

He added, “Instead of ending the protests and resolving the issue, the government did nothing. It is incapable of restoring order.” Stalin deputed a team of DMK leaders led by deputy general secretary I Periasamy to assess and send a report of the situation to him.