Two senior IAS officers — Agriculture Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi and Transport Secretary P.W.C. Davidar – arrived at the riot-hit town on Thursday to expedite the ongoing measures to ensure early restoration of peace.
After holding talks with the senior officials of various departments, Mr. Bedi also spoke to the representatives of various organisations, especially the traders’ bodies, in a bid to encourage them to open their business establishments as it would facilitate the peace process.
Speaking to reporters on the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital premises after visiting the riot victims along with Mr. Davidar, Mr. Bedi said no fresh violence had been reported from any part of the town even as police patrol had been intensified.
Led by an ADGP (Law and Order), two Inspector Generals of Police, four Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and 15 Superintendents of Police had been deployed at riot-hit Thoothukudi to bring back normality. He expressed satisfaction with the gradual restoration of normality.
On the condition of the victims undergoing treatment, Mr. Bedi said major surgery to be conducted for saving the victims had been completed by roping in additional surgeons from other medical college hospitals, and most of them were “out of danger.”
When asked about the withdrawal of prohibitory orders, Mr. Bedi said the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, after reviewing the situation in the town, would take appropriate decision.
