Justice Aruna Jegadeesan, a retired judge of the Madras High Court, who is heading the inquiry commission appointed by the State government to probe the deadly violence that broke out during an anti-Sterlite agitation in Thoothukudi on May 22, has assured that a fair and thorough probe would be conducted.
Addressing a press conference at the Collectorate here on Monday, she said the government had issued the notification for the inquiry commission. Affidavits from witnesses directly or indirectly connected with the incidents of violence or irregularities could either be submitted before the inquiry commission at its camp office at the Old Circuit House in Thoothukudi or at the main office at NCB-28, Kumarasamy Raja Salai (Greenways Road) in Chennai.
As per the notification, the last date for submission of affidavits, which should include necessary details concerning the riot, was June 22. But it has since been extended till June 30.
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Those who submit affidavits have the liberty to decide and inform the commission whether they wish to be questioned at the camp office in Thoothukudi or in Chennai. It was important to maintain secrecy to protect information and safeguard witnesses, Ms. Justice Jagadeesan said.
Further, she said necessary arrangements had been made, and that the public and the victims of the violence need not hesitate or fear to furnish information relating to incidents of violence before the commission.
A retired district court judge, a retired senior court official and two officials of the District Administration have been deputed at the Thoothukudi camp office to receive affidavits from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and similar arrangements have been made at the main office in Chennai. If necessary, notices or summons would be issued to those who file affidavits before the Commission.
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Ms. Justice Jagadeesan said “unedited” video clips recorded by mediapersons during the riot need to be brought to the attention of the inquiry commission, either in Thoothukudi or in Chennai, within a week.
Three phases
The inquiry would be carried out in three phases, initially involving people affected by the riot, the injured victims in hospital and the relatives of victims who died of gunshot wounds. Subsequently, inquiries would be held with eyewitnesses, social activists, those who knew about the incidents indirectly, mediapersons and the like.
The final phase would involve inquiries with policemen, revenue officials, doctors who were involved in providing treatment to the victims and carrying out postmortem examinations, high-ranking police officials, the former Collector and the former Superintendent of Police.