There could not have been anyone who could not have been moved by the unbearable tragedy that unfolded in Tuticorin that day.
Yes! No one can easily think or forget that 13 innocent people lost their precious lives when the police fired at Doparamaki on the day of the massive public protest against the Sterlite plant.
Commission of Inquiry
At that time, one side observed that this shooting incident was treated as brutally as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
On the other hand, there are fears that if it had not been carried out, not 13 people, but countless lives would have been lost.
In this context, the commission of inquiry headed by retired Madras High Court judge Aruna Jagatheesan, which was investigating the firing, gave its recommendations to the Tamil Nadu government.
“The harm caused by the firing is greater than the harm that could have been caused by not firing,” the commission alleged.
The investigation report published in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has created a stir.
Accusations
Here are some of the allegations contained in it.
*Poor planning by the police. Failure to properly strategize. Lack of preparedness has magnified this problem.
* Firing is being conducted from a remote hideout without any prior warning.
* After the first firing, the protesters set fire to some vehicles in the collector office premises and some vehicles belonging to the residents of the Sterlite plant.
I don’t know Tamil…
* Collector Venkatesh, who was in charge and in power in the situation of rebellion and confusion in Tuticorin, did not advance the peace talks and let Sub-Collector Prashanth, who is in the third level, handle the situation, has shirked his responsibility.
* At the time of the incident, the police superintendents of Tuticorin and Nellai were not in the collector’s office and the IG and DIG, who did not know Tamil, suppressed the protest.
Round 17
* Unacceptable to open fire as opposed to a violent protest meeting. Sudalaikannu single-handedly fired 17 rounds with that too dangerous ‘self-loading’ rifle. The commission concluded that the police had overstepped their bounds. Both top police officers and constables are individually and collectively responsible for the 2 shootings.
Accusations are stacked like this.
Edappadi Palaniswami-Rajinikanth
Not only that, the inquiry commission did not spare Edappadi Palaniswami, who was then Chief Minister, and actor Rajinikanth, who had commented on the firing. Criticized.
Minute by minute high officials were informing the then Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami about the incidents and the situation in Tuticorin.
Edappadi Palaniswami’s claim that he came to know about the incident only through the media is wrong.
Actor Rajinikanth had suggested that anti-social elements had entered and attacked the police and later clarified that he had no basis for such a suggestion. The Commission has advised that famous people, people in public life and film actors should avoid such comments.
Commission recommendation
The commission has also recommended 17 people, including top police officers, to take departmental action.
Prime Minister M. K. Stalin has announced that the criminals involved in this will be put in the cage.
Below you can see the opinions expressed by the public and those interested in public interest regarding this matter which has gained momentum.
congratulations
Gandhimatinathan, a social activist from Tuticorin:-
Appreciation of Tamil Nadu Government Justice Aruna Jagadeesan for publishing the report.
On the day of the protest, the people of Tuticorin were fully assembled. The police targeted and beat the protestors wearing black shirts. Many innocent youths were affected by this. Many people were arrested and severely beaten. Similarly, indiscriminate firing has been conducted on innocent people. Justice Aruna Jagadeesan commission report has revealed this.
Stop buying petitions
Advocate Waryar from Tuticorin:-
Police say they fired to protect the officials and people in the collector’s office. Earlier in many protests, the police used rubber bullets and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. I think the police did not handle this protest properly.
And to prevent such incidents, while the Sterlite case is in court, the District Collector should stop buying petitions from the supporters and opponents. This is causing a tense situation.
May be excluded
Retired Sub-Inspector of Police from Tuticorin:-
During the anti-Sterlite protest, the authorities should have spoken to the public first. I consider firing on protesting civilians as the maximum measure. The problem can be solved easily if the higher officials speak directly. If a stone is thrown at a police officer, the gunman guarding him will start firing. But the officer should stop him from being patient. The police should be active in the mode of protection before arrival. Police may avoid open fire.
No communication
Thoothukudi People’s Livelihood Protection Association President Thiagarajan:-
The Tamil Nadu government has submitted Justice Aruna Jagadeesan’s report in the Legislative Assembly. The report is said to have stated that there is no connection between the Tuticorin firing incident and the Sterlite plant. The judge has stated that truth.
In 2018, when the plant was locked down, the then-Prime Minister cited the firing incident as the reason. Many people spread rumors that Sterlite was responsible for the firing. Now I see that the rumor has been answered. Had the firing not happened, the plant would have been open. As it is now revealed that there is no communication, steps should be taken to open the plant.
social activist
Social activist Vinarasa from Nellai:-
Retired Judge Aruna Jegatheesan Inquiry Commission should take strict action against all those accused in the Tuticorin firing.
In connection with the incident that took place after the shooting, 13 members of Nam Tamil Party, including myself, were arrested and imprisoned in Palayangottai Jail. I sent a 16-page report from jail to Justice Aruna Jagatheesan Commission. The Commission of Inquiry has stated in its report many of the views expressed by me in my petition.
The Chief Minister of the day, Edappadi Palaniswami, was the one who had to take full responsibility for the Thoothukudi firing incident.
Similarly, actor Rajinikanth, who commented on the firing, insulted the people who fought. It is welcome that the commission has advised Rajinikanth in this regard.
UN Council condemned
Shiva from Nellai:-
During the people’s protest against the Tuticorin Sterlite plant, the police broke the rules and opened fire.
Farmers protested in Delhi and put barbed wire on the ground. This was done by the UN. Council condemned. Likewise, the incident in Tuticorin is a violation of human rights.
Big mistake
Salim from Tenkasi Mount Road area:-
In the Tuticorin Sterlite plant protest, the people were fighting for their rights and livelihood. The firing by the police is highly condemnable. In what way is the shooting of ordinary civilians who participated in the protest justified? This is a huge mistake. Legal action should be taken against the officials who ordered this incident and those who went along with it.
Thus they said.