Stalin drops cases against Sterlite protestors, gives jobs to kin of victims

Chennai: A positive step as viewed by many activists, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to withdraw most of the cases registered against the protest that turned into violence when people demonstrated their anger against the extension of the Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi district on May 22, 2018.

The decision came after the recommendations by the inquiry commission headed by Justice Aruna Jegadeesan, The News Minute reported. Earlier, the government had also allowed people who have been involved in the case to pursue higher education and jobs, providing Non-Objection Certificates.

The police firing, when the protestors resorted to violence, left 13 civilians killed and over 100 people were injured. The violence and the human loss, damaging of private and public properties prompted the then state government to appoint a commission consisting of retired High Court justice Aruna Jegadeesan.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin appointed relatives of those killed and injured in the police firing in the various government departments. On Friday, he had handed over the appointment letters to the immediate family members of those who were killed and grievously injured based on their respective education qualification.

The Commission recommended the withdrawal of cases that it found unnecessarily slapped on people by the state police.

Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced the following decisions based on the recommendations:

1. Out of the total cases registered in connection with this incident, all the cases except those which have been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and those which have been registered as causing damage to public and private property will be withdrawn.

2. The cases registered in connection with this protest prior to the incident on May 22, 2018, will be withdrawn except for those cases pending in the Supreme Court.

3. The Commission has recommended financial relief to some of the 94 persons arrested by the police on the ground that they were injured and many others had to undergo mental stress. One lakh rupees each will be provided as relief to 93 persons on this basis. Apart from this, one person was arrested in another case and died in prison. His 72-year-old mother who lost her source for livelihood will be given a relief of two lakh rupees.

4. Based on the recommendations given by the Commission, Certificates of Barrier will be issued for the higher education and employment of persons arrested by the Tamil Nadu Police during this struggle.