Replying to DMK working president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin and Congress Legislative Party Leader K.R. Ramasamy in the Assembly who, during Zero Hour, urged the government to withdraw the cases registered against anti-Sterlite protesters, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami maintained that the State government had only arrested those who had engaged in violence, and not the general public.
He indicated that his government would act tough on “miscreants and anti-social elements” who attacked [the police and damaged public property] with petrol bombs and wooden logs.
“They were attacking cars with petrol bombs. They were attacking with wooden logs. They were destroying public property. Are they the general public who took part in protests? There were miscreants and anti-social elements,” Mr. Palaniswami argued.
“Those indulging in violence, anti-social elements and miscreants should not be encouraged by any government,” the Chief Minister said, and contended that they would become a major threat in the future if not dealt with. There was photographic evidence to prove that these people had indulged in violence, he said.
Those with knowledge about the protests in Thoothukudi on May 22 were welcome to submit their inputs to the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of Inquiry, he said, adding that the government would take action based on the findings of the panel.
However, Mr. Stalin sought to know whether the State government would take action against police personnel in plainclothes, who were seen in photographs aiming at protesters and shooting at them.
Solatium announced
In an official release, the Chief Minister announced a solatium of ₹10 lakh to the family of a woman who died of burn injuries after a State-run bus was torched by anti-social elements in Thoothukudi district in connection with the anti-Sterlite protests.
Valliammal suffered burn injuries when miscreants torched a Tirunelveli-bound bus at Karungulam near Srivaikundam on May 25. She eventually died on May 31.
