1 yr on, Thoothukudi yet to come out of May 22 pain

The first anniversary of the police firing incident during the anti-Sterlite rally in Thoothukudi, which claimed the lives of 13 people and left several others injured, was observed on Wednesday with scores of people turning out to remember the victims.

It was this day a year earlier that the southern port city witnessed an unprecedented level of violence, which would probably be never forgotten. What initially started as a peaceful protest rally seeking the closure of the copper plant soon descended into a riot, which eventually led the police to open fire on the protesters.

In a poignant act aimed at honouring their sacrifice, images of those killed were put up in huge banners, which was erected at various locations in the city. Many people, including the relatives of those killed, offered floral tributes in front of the banners. Candle lit prayers were also observed on the occasion. Prayer services were conducted since morning hours marking the first anniversary of their death.

Political parties, civil society organisations, traders and fishermen also joined in paying homage to the victims. Senior CPI leader Nallakannu accompanied by his party cadre met with the aggrieved mother and relatives of 17-year old Snowlin, the youngest protester gunned down during the rally, at her house and paid homage. Nallakannu appealed to the State government to build a memorial for those who sacrificed their lives for the closure of Sterlite.

T Vellayan, president, Tamil Nadu Traders Association, Fathima Babu, environmental activist, Gayes, president of Thoothukudi District Country Boat Owners Association and several others attended a meeting conducted in a private hotel. Addressing the gathering, Vellayan said the government should never suppress people-led protests, which are aimed at securing their rights. He demanded the government to provide suitable jobs to the next of the kin and those who were injured during the rally.

According to Gayes, fishermen from many coastal villages in Thoothukudi and neighbouring Tirunelveli had suspended their country boat fishing operations to mark the anniversary. Homage was paid to the victims at offices of all political parties, including the DMK, Congress, MDMK, CPI, CPI (M) and AMMK.

Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha said there was no untoward incident since morning. As many as 2,300 police personnel and six companies of Tamil Nadu Special Police were deployed and surveillance was enhanced to prevent any violence. Besides, check posts were put up at twenty locations in the district. Patrolling was also intensified throughout the day, he said.

After paying his homage, film director V Gowthaman claimed the government was planning to re-open the copper unit after the election results were declared. Warning that any such move would trigger widespread protests, he said, “Despite the continued opposition to Vedanta (which owns Sterlite), the Central government has given its nod for the same company for hydrocarbon exploration projects in Cuddalore and Villupuram.”

“Even after setting up a one-member enquiry commission following the firing incident, justice had not been delivered to the victims,” he said.