Thoothukudi Shooting: Speaker says no debate, DMK exits

Alleging that new evidences had surfaced to prove that the police shooting on anti-Sterlite protesters was a ‘pre-planned conspiracy,’ the Leader of Opposition said there are chances for his party to approach the court based on the evidences with him.

Speaking outside the Assembly, he charged that those who led the protests had been targeted in the firing. Those who had been appointed to maintain law and order during the anti-Sterlite rally were not present in those places where the shootings took place. Some other officials had been sent to the place for carrying out the firing.

Describing the enquiry commission on Thoothukudi firing as ‘an eye wash,’ Stalin said he tried to raise the issue in the House to demand CBI probe. He also said he had already informed the Speaker that he would raise the issue and it had been conveyed to the Chief Minister who had given his consent.

“But, suddenly we were informed that the Chief Minister was not ready to debate on the subject and even if we raised the issue, it will be expunged and we will not be allowed to speak,” the Leader of Opposition said. The DMK walked out of the Assembly to protect democracy, he said.

Later, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami pointed out that a commission had been set up under a retired high court judge and a case is pending on the issue in the Madras High Court. When DMK was in power the present deputy floor leader of the party who was a minister at that time had opined that a matter which is sub-judice should not be discussed in the Assembly, the Chief Minister noted. He further said the DMK should submit whatever they have with the enquiry commission.