Police firing: NHRC quizzes 300 people in 6 days

The police firing in which 13 people died created widespread uproar and to probe the incident, the NHRC team visited Thoothukudi on June 2 and commenced its investigation.

Initially, the team inspected the damage, then met the injured in the hospital following which it met the families of the deceased and enquired the officials.

The team concluded its first phase of investigation on Thursday and returned to New Delhi.

In the six days of investigation, it collected 80 affidavits, mostly from the revenue and police officers who were present at the spot.

It also enquired with some key officials such as SP Murali Ramba, former Collector N Venkatesh and others and in the six days quizzed more than 300 people. The team is set to return to Thoothkudi soon to commence its second phase of investigation.

In the meantime, the body of Antony Selvaraj was handed over to his kin after autopsy was completed late on Wednesday. His body was taken in a procession from the GH to his house. With this, the bodies of all the 13 who died in the firing have been handed over to their family along with the compensation of Rs 20 lakh announced by the state government.

Country boat fishermen in Thoothukudi ventured into the sea on Thursday after 15 days. Protesting the police firing, they did not venture into the sea since May 22 and as tension subsided, they relented.

However, as the fishing ban period is in place, mechanised boats have not ventured into the sea.