Latest news with #anti-Sterlite
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sterlite killings: NGO urges TN to conclude action against officials
Madurai: The Tamil Nadu govt has been urged to complete the pending disciplinary proceedings against the 17 revenue and police officers involved in opening fire on anti-Sterlite protesters in Tuticorin district, and place them under suspension so that none of them are allowed to retire without facing the consequences of their actions. In a statement, executive director of NGO, People's Watch, Henri Tiphagne also urged chief minister M K Stalin to seek the closure of the CBI probe ordered by the Madras high court and entrust the investigation to a highly competent team of police officials, preferably monitored by a highly reputed independent senior police officer from outside Tamil Nadu, comprising senior officers of the rank of DGP. This is because several IPS officers and IAS officers were found to be responsible for the injuries and the killings in Tuticorin. Tiphagne said that Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission, which probed the 2018 Sterlite killings, submitted a report to the govt in 2022. He stated that while the Tamil Nadu assembly adopted the report in May 2022 and consequential orders were passed by the state govt, it is shocking that despite three years passing, the disciplinary proceedings against the police and revenue authorities are still pending. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘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.
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu man seeks help to maintain prosthetic leg as CM's insurance does not cover it
THOOTHUKUDI: G Princeton was 21 when he suffered a bullet injury in his right leg when police opened fire at anti-Sterlite protesters on May 22, 2018. The leg was amputated to save his life and he was fitted with a prosthetic leg. Seven years on, he is struggling to keep the leg in shape. Recalling the mayhem that broke loose on that fateful day, he said, 'I was standing in front of the government polytechnic institute on Palayamkottai road watching the protest rally when police started to open fire. I was shot in the leg,' he said. He was admitted in the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital and the leg was amputated the same day. In October, the state government provided him a prosthetic leg having hydraulic knee joint made by a German firm based in Tiruchy. Speaking to TNIE, Princeton said the prosthetic leg cost Rs 7.5 lakh. 'The device is sophisticated and the maintenance cost is high. The government had borne the maintenance cost of Rs 1.2 lakh and Rs 80,000 in 2020 and 2022 respectively after pressure from several people,' he said. 'Until 2020, I was using a prosthetic silicone liner. Since it is costly and not durable, we replaced it with a vacuum socket. But the thigh muscle has started shrinking because of which the vacuum socket does not fit properly. Since the vacuum socket gets loosened, I lose stability and fall down often, resulting in injuries,' he said, adding the foot shell has also worn out. The service centre said it would cost Rs 93,555 to bring the leg back in shape. 'The state had promised to inquire about the maintenance cost, however, the district's differently-abled welfare department is turning me away,' he alleged. 'I gave the petition for maintenance three months ago, but there is no response', he said. When contacted, differently-abled welfare officer Bhramanayagam said the CM's comprehensive health insurance scheme does not cover maintenance cost of prosthetic limbs. 'A new basic model of prosthetic leg can be procured,' he added.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Anti-Sterlite protest firing's seventh anniversary observed in Thoothukudi
The seventh anniversary of police firing on protestors, who opposed the Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi, was observed in the district on Thursday. Members of various political parties and anti-Sterlite movement organisations paid floral tribute to the portraits of 13 persons killed in the firing. The protest against the Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi, which was held on May 22, 2018, ended with a tragic police firing on the rallyists opposing the Sterlite Copper Plant. The police opened fire and conducted charges, resulting in the death of 13 people and injuries to many. Following the outrage, the State ordered the closure of the Sterlite plant, and the Supreme court later upheld the decision of the state. To mark the seventh anniversary, a remembrance event led by Thoothukudi Corporation Mayor Jegan Periyasamy, was held. DMK party members paid floral tribute to the portraits of the deceased persons. At the CPI(M) office in Masilamanipuram, District Secretary K.P. Arumugam led a memorial event, where the party members paid homage. Representatives of Anti-Sterlite Thoothukudi District People Federation, co-ordinator M. Krishnamoorthy visited the gravesites. Remembrance events were also held in Kumarettiyapuram, South Veerapandiyapuram, Madaththur, Sileverpuram, Fatima Nagar and Boobalarayapuram. In a post on 'X' Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said that, 'A dark day under the former AIADMK government's tenure, when people protesting for the closure of the Sterlite Plant were shot down to protect corporate interests. Today, we remember the 13 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their rights. The wounds left by the bullets that shot them still remain in our hearts and will never be forgotten.'
