Makkal Adhikaram, a left wing outfit, on Tuesday denied police charges that it attempted to instigate the anti-Sterlite protesters in Thoothukudi. K. Kaliappan, State treasurer of the organisation, pointed out that his organisation had never been named by any official and that accusations of fomenting trouble had been coming from faceless sources.
Makkal Adhikaram participated in the anti-Sterlite protest but it did not lead it, Mr. Kaliappan said. “We only supported what was a people's movement,” he added. The organisation had participated in previous agitations, like the ones against the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, Neutrino Observatory, Neet and Tasmac.
The outfit alleged that it was being blamed for what it called ‘a pre-planned murder’ by the police force. The organisation said the 13th and final casualty of the violence, K. Jayaraman, was its member.
Mr. Kaliappan demanded prosecution of the Chief Minister and DGP for the firing incident. He also sought an amendment to the policy barring hazardous industries from the State.
