NHRC notice to Tamil Nadu Govt over death of people in police firing

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)  has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that more than ten people were killed in police firing on anti-Sterlite protestors when their three month old agitation turned violent on its 100^th day in Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu, on May 22, 2018.

The protesters allegedly attacked the Collectorate building and police personnel posted there leaving a few cops injured and some vehicles torched. Thereafter, police retaliated with firing. The fleeing protesters were reportedly chased down and beaten up by police.

The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), Tamil Nadu, calling for detailed reports in the matter along with the status of the treatment being provided to the persons injured in police firing. The response is expected within two weeks, according to an NHRC release .

The Commission expects that investigation into the matter will be conducted as per guidelines laid down in its letter dated May 12, 2010, addressed by the Chairperson, NHRC, to the Chief Ministers of all States.

The Commission has also observed that going by the contents of the media reports, it appears that the authorities probably failed to foresee the tragic violence which took place. The agitation against the polluting unit was on for the last more than three months. Keeping in view the simmering situation, effective precautionary measures and deployment of adequate number of police personnel may have possibly averted the unfortunate incident.

According to the media reports carried on May 23, 2018, the agitation demanding closure of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper plant started more than three months back. Thousands of protesters had, reportedly, gathered to mark the 100^th day of the agitation at Kumarattiyapuram village on the outskirts of the city on May 22, 2018. The district administration had granted permission only for staging a protest at the SAV School ground which was turned down by a majority of the protesters following which, the District Collector imposed regulatory orders u/s 144 CrPC and around 1,500 police personnel were deployed to maintain the law and order.

It is mentioned in the news reports that the protest began at around 8.30 am and the protesters marched towards the Collectorate. Police tried to stop them at several points but vastly outnumbered by the protesters, they were not able to control the mob.

Angered by the firing that left eight protesters dead, the crowd blocked reportedly the vehicle of Tuticorin Superintendent of Police. The police force then opened fire and another person (Vinitha) died. As mentioned, the bodies of the dead are yet to be handed over to the families and condition of some of the injured persons is stated to be critical. It is also mentioned that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is not renewing the license of the plant which is closed since March, 2018.

The State Government has announced an inquiry into the matter to be conducted by a retired High Court judge.