Volunteers of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) and other outfits staged demonstrations at different places in the two districts on Wednesday, protesting against police firing on anti-Sterlite rally in Thoothukudi and killing of more than 10 protesters.
DMK district secretary Suba Tha Diwakaran, who led the protest at NSK Veedhi in Rameswaram, said the police firing on those who took out peaceful rally demanding the closure of Sterlite Copper plant was part of a larger conspiracy to silence the protesters and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Alleging that the district administration and the police had mishandled the issue resulting in the loss of lives of at least 12 people, he said the Chief Minister should own moral responsibility and step down. The firing could have been averted had the police mobilised enough strength in advance and handled the situation properly, he said. “It appears to be an indiscriminate firing by the police,” he said and demanded action against the erred police officials. He also demanded that the government pay compensation of ₹ One crore each to the families of those killed in the gunfire. Former Ministers Suba Thangavelan, R. Sathiyamoorthy were among others took part in the protest demonstration.
CPI (M) volunteers staged a protest at Rameswaram bus stand. Addressing the protest, district secretary V. Kasinathadurai alleged that the firing and killing exposed the larger conspiracy to silence the protest against Sterlite. Thoothukudi Collector and Superintendent of Police should be held responsible for the carnage. Peace would return to the district only if Sterlite was permanently closed, he said.
Party office-bearers E. Justin, G. Siva, K. Karunakaran, P.R. Senthilvel and M. Karunamoorthy were among others took part in the agitation. Volunteers of NTK and members of CITU, AITUC and Students Federation of India also staged a protest at Aranmanai in Ramanathapuram town. In Sivaganga, more than 40 volunteers of CPI (M), led by district secretary M. Kandasamy courted arrest after they staged a road roko, protesting against the police firing.
Dindigul
Around 150 members of Thamizhaga Makkal Medai, including those from CITU, CPI and farmers’ associations, staged a demonstration near Dindigul Corporation officeThe members demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
They demanded stern action against the police and other officers involved in the shooting. The members also condemned the sharp hike in the prices of petroleum and other essential commodities. They also flayed ‘anti-people’ policies of the Central government that completed its four year term on May 23.
Virudhunagar
Over 300 cadre of CPI (M) and CPI were arrested when they staged road roko. The CPI (M) district secretary, Arjunan and CPI former MLA, T. Ramasamy led the protests at Srivilliputtur and Watrap respectively.
The agitation was held in 12 places. Over 40 NTK cadre staged a demonstration in Sivakasi, led by town secretary, Selvam.
