Thoothukudi Police firing: ‘Officers forced to sign FIRs’

Interestingly, the complaint was made by two Deputy Tahsildars and the FIRs mention that the firing order was also issued by the two Deputy Tahsildars. The FIRs had led to heated debates as to how Deputy Tahsildars had issued orders for firing.

Speaking to DT Next, Senthur Raja, Thoothukudi District Secretary, Tamil Nadu Revenue Officials’ Association, said that the two Deputy Tahsildars, Sekar and Kannan were not present during the time of firing but were forced to sign the FIRs due to pressure from higher officials. Raja further alleged that Sekar and Kannan have been made scapegoats for fear of facing the inquiry commissions and the questions they would have to face. There is also a possibility that even the officials would face severe action from the inquiry commissions, Raja added. He also said that the duo is untraceable and cannot be contacted.

Meanwhile, two Thoothukudi Inspectors have been transferred to Madurai zone. The duo is Hariharan, SIPCOT police station and his wife Vanitha Rani, Thalamuthunagar police station. The NHRC has already visited Thoothukudi and the one-man judicial panel appointed by the State is about to visit the place for investigation. Hariharan was accused of threatening the kin of the deceased and arresting youths at midnight.