
‘Complete disciplinary proceedings against officials involved in Thoothukudi firing'
People's Watch, a Madurai-based Human Rights organisation, has urged the DMK government to complete the pending disciplinary proceedings against 17 revenue and police officials involved in the police firing at anti-Sterlite protesters in Thoothukudi on May 22, 2018.
People's Watch Executive Director Henri Tiphagne urged the government to place the officials under suspension. The DMK government should remind itself of its electoral promises made in 2019, 2021, and 2024 to punish all those responsible for the killings.
People's Watch demanded that the government immediately intervene, asking for closure of the CBI investigation entrusted by the Madras High Court and hand over the probe to be carried out in a timely manner, and complete it before the 2026 elections, through highly competent police officials, preferably monitored by a highly reputed senior police officer from outside Tamil Nadu and comprising sufficient senior officers of the rank of DGP, since several IPS officers and IAS officers had been found responsible for the killings and injuries caused.
Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of Inquiry, which probed the firing incident, had submitted its report to the government in 2022. The Commission named 17 officers from the rank of IPS to constables, as well as from the District Collector to the Deputy Tahsildars as responsible, he said.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly adopted the report in May 2022 and consequential orders were passed by the government. Despite three years having passed since the report had been submitted, on the seventh anniversary, disciplinary proceedings against the police and the revenue authorities were still pending. No single official had been held guilty even in the disciplinary proceedings, let alone initiating criminal prosecution that necessarily had to follow, he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
37 criminals arrested in 33 encounters in Pratapgarh in past 11 months
1 2 P rayagraj: In the past 11 months, as many as 37 criminals were arrested along with their 54 accomplices in a total of 33 police encounters in the neighbouring Pratapgarh district. Most of these criminals carried cash rewards ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 for their arrest. Pratapgarh police also arrested over 110 gangsters and history-sheeters,. SP (Pratapgarh) Dr Anil Kumar told TOI, "Cops have demonstrated excellent competence in surveillance and crime prevention, particularly in monitoring criminal activities involving gangsters and history-sheeters." In the past week, five criminals with criminal records and wanted by police in Pratapgarh, Amethi, Sultanpur, and other districts were injured in separate encounters in Lalganj, Baghrai, Kandhai, Leelapur, and Sangipur police circles. Notorious criminals, including Panchlal Verma, Hasamtullah, Virendra Yadav, Pinku and Abdul Rab, were also injured and arrested in separate encounters. Interestingly, women cops have also played vital roles in building an intelligence network to tighten the noose around criminals and gangsters and even managed to arrest seven women with criminal records so far. As part of Pratapgarh district police's enhanced crime-fighting initiative, cops posted in all 26 police stations were assigned one specific target (one cop – one criminal) to enlist criminals circle/thana-wise, surveil their activities and ensure stern actions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Additionally, anti-Romeo squad members are also engaged with women and girls in the community, raising awareness about emergency helplines such as 1090, 1076, and Dial 112. The SP, meanwhile, said, "To build up an intelligence network of gangsters, history-sheeters, and professional criminals, every beat constable, both men and women, are being assigned special tasks to maintain a strict eye on the activities of wanted criminals and initiate concrete action to ensure their arrests in all 26 police stations of the district." The SP claims that the revised strategy has helped cops compile updated inputs on lawbreakers as well as a new beat system where officers focus on specific criminals in their designated areas. Moreover, outstanding performance is recognised through cash rewards and certificates, and over 70 policemen were felicitated with rewards and certificates. Notably, all beat constables are armed with the 'Prahari' app, wherein they are updating details of prominent places in their area, reputed persons, updates on criminals and gangsters whether lodged in jail or on bail, religious places, banks, etc. According to the SP, officers have compiled thana-wise lists of criminals, implementing a one officer-one criminal monitoring system to dismantle criminal networks in the district and surrounding areas. Pratapgarh police have also recorded the highest number of FIRs under the Gangsters Act (exceeding 130) in the state. Both male and female police officers received recognition for their achievements. Women officers particularly excelled in intelligence gathering (Suragkasi), leading to the arrest of more than 30 suspects involved in vehicle theft and robbery.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Girl runs away to meet BF, his parents alert her family
Nagpur: Acting responsibly, an Azamgarh-based family in Uttar Pradesh alerted the parents of a 17-year-old standard X student from Nagpur, who had landed up at their residence after falling in love with their son. The minor girl had befriended the youngster from Azamgarh on a social media platform, and developed a relationship over the last few months ago. Sources said that the Azamgarh youngster had sponsored the minor girl's ticket to take a bus to his hometown on June 4. After she reached Azamgarh, the youngster took her to his home and expressed his desire to marry her. The youngster's family, realising the girl was still a minor, immediately alerted her parents, who were already searching for her. An offence had also been registered at Old Kamptee police station following the family's complaint. Immediately afterwards, the Azamgarh family ensured the girl returned to the city by train on June 6. She was taken into custody by senior inspector Lalita Todase's team of the anti-human trafficking unit of the crime branch. After counselling, the girl was reunited with her family, and accordingly, the Old Kamptee police station was also informed.


India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
BSF jawans on Amarnath duty get filthy train coaches, railways suspends 4 officials
14:00 Anti-ICE protests have spread across American cities, with Los Angeles as the epicenter. Meanwhile, criminal charges have been filed against two protesters for alleged violence.