Don’t harass kin of Sterlite protesters’

Petitioner Thangapandi, an advocate from Palayamkottai and district coordinator of Makkal Adigaram, in his PIL, said he had participated in the May 22 protest against Sterlite Copper and in the protest 13 people died in police firing. Also, several people sustained injuries.

Policemen had booked cases against many of the protesters but didn’t follow procedures during the investigation. Without serving notices to the accused, policemen visit their houses in the midnight and harass the family members in the name of investigation.

In particular, members of Makkal Adigaram in districts such as Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga are harassed and their family members threatened by police, he said.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the police not to threaten and torture the family members in the name of arrests and they should not make any illegal detentions.

Also, the police should produce the details of the total number of notices served to the protesters who were booked, prayed the petitioner.