'Why Were Automatic Weapons Used to Disperse Crowd?': Stalin on Thoothukudi Police Firing

New Delhi: DMK working president MK Stalin came down heavily on the state government led by Palaniswami for failing to contain the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi that left at least 11 people dead in alleged police firing on Tuesday.

Stalin wanted to know why were protesters not forewarned.

“Who ordered the police firing on protestors? Why were automatic weapons used to disperse the crowd and under what law is this permitted? Why were rubber/ plastic bullets or other means NOT used to avoid fatal injuries? Why was no warning given before firing?”tweeted Stalin.

The protesters were seen pelting stones and toppling police vehicles after they were prevented from marching towards the Sterlite plant. They even tried to gherao the Collector’s office as well as the plant. Police officials resorted to lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the crowd. As the violence soon went out of control, police opened fire on the protesters leading to several deaths. Palaniswami has ordered a judicial inquiry into the violence while also announcing a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and jobs for the next of kin of the deceased. Injured persons would also be given a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each. Locals have been protesting for quite some time now against the expansion activities of the Sterlite plant and also demanding the closure of the plant. Protesters have alleged that the plant is polluting ground water in the area. Stalin asked the government to list out measure taken to allay the environmental fears of the residents of Thoothukudi (also known as Tuticorin).

“Why did you or your representatives NOT meet the protestors during the last 100 days? Why was the protest not resolved by your govt during this time? What steps have you taken to allay the environmental concerns of residents of Tuticorin? #SterliteProtest,” said Stalin.

In another tweet, Stalin blamed the unfortunate death on the state intelligence failure.

“Why was there not adequate police presence to maintain law and order during #SterliteProtest? Is it accurate to say that there was a total failure of State intelligence which led to these unfortunate deaths? Did IG-Intelligence brief police and @CMOTamilNadu on the situation?”