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Minister Kadambur Raju faces tough questions from Thoothukudi victims
Even as Thoothukudi limped back to normalcy and Section 144 was lifted on Sunday, Minister for Information and Publicity, Kadambur C Raju, who was the first minister to visit the region following the violence and police firing that led to 13 deaths, faced tough questions from the victims including allegations of receiving bribes from the Vedanta Group.
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Madurai
When the minister went to console those injured in the police firing at Thoothukudi Government Hospital, he faced resistance from the kin of the victims and remarks on how unwelcome he was.
Eyewitnesses alleged that when the minister approached Santhosh Raj, who had sustained injuries throughout his body, his mother questioned the officials accompanying the minister regarding police beating her son mercilessly.
“How much money did you receive from Sterlite to give permission to operate? We will pay double the amount that you received from Sterlite in a month by collecting money from residents of Thoothukudi,” said Santhosh Raj from his hospital bed shocking the minister and officials accompanying him. Sensing the hostile mood at the hospital, the minister rushed to the Collector’s office where he inspected the vehicles that were allegedly burnt in the May 22 firing.
Later, addressing the media Raju said, “The decision of the state is to close down Sterlite Copper and it always stands by the people,” he said. “On May 22, the protesters had advanced so much that the lives of the officials at the Collectorate were at risk and hence firing could not be avoided,” Raju said.
Minister blames protesters, police release arson footage
State Information Minister Kadambur Raju said on Sunday that the AIADMK government was clear in its stand that Sterlite should be closed down.
“The stand of state government is to close down Sterlite Copper and it always stands by the people,” he said. Speaking about the protest, the Minister said that Sterlite Copper remained closed during the protest and despite that people poured out on the roads.
“The state government announced 22 times through the media that government had ordered the closure of Sterlite Copper by cutting the electricity but despite that protesters did not listen to it and did not come to talk with the Collector and other officials. On the day of protest, May 22, the protesters advanced so much that the lives of the officials at the Collectorate were at risk and so the firing could not be avoided,” said Minister.
In the meantime, police released the footage of May 22 violence that happened inside the Collectorate.
Meanwhile, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said that it is not enough that Minister Kadambur Raju visit the victims and the family of the deceased, the Chief Minister should have visited them by this time. He should have met the injured protesters and the family of the deceased and should have consoled them, he said.
Moreover, the statement of Anil Agarwal, founder and chairman of Vedanta, shows that government is operated by the corporates and they cannot do anything against the corporate, alleged Vaiko.
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