Anti-Sterlite protest: Police acted against anti-socials, says Tamil Nadu CM
Chennai: With the death toll in the Thoothukudi police firing rising to 13, following Selvasekar of Iruvappapuram village, succumbing to injuries due to lathicharge, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday justified the police action against the anti-Sterlite protesters, saying the police acted in self-defence. Anti-social elements had attacked the police under the guise of agitation, he said referring to police firing on May 22 and 23.
"Some political parties and leaders had misguided the agitators against Sterlite. Opposition parties were instigating innocent people to agitate," he said in a series of tweets in response to criticism from various quarters on police firing and violence.
"When someone hits you, you naturally tend to defend yourselves. So, on such situations, no one acts in a pre-planned manner," he said.
The CM's defence came minutes after the DMK working president M.K. Stalin was bundled out of the Secretariat for staging a sudden dharna in front of Mr. Palaniswami's office, demanding Chief Minister's resignation in connection with the Thoothukudi police firing incident.
Tense moments had prevailed for sometime outside the Secretariat complex when the DMK members at around half past noon resorted to a road blocade and argued with the police for evicting and detaining their leader. Stalin was later released in the evening.
Speaking to reporters outside the Secretariat Mr. Palaniswami claimed that some anti-social elements intruded into the agitation (against Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi) on May 22 and attacked police and torched police vehicles. Under a tense situation, the police resorted to firing, which was not pre-planned.
He charged the Opposition parties and anti-social elements with vested interests, inciting violence and said the Tamil Nadu government has been taking steps to shut down the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi legally. “The State government continues to respect views of people on Sterlite issue. Thoothukudi administrators met agitators 14 times about government stand. ?State government has been taking steps to close down Sterlite plant, through legal means. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board did not renew license for Sterlite,” he explained.
“I am deeply pained by the loss of precious lives during the agitation at Thoothukudi. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken cognisance of the situation and has sought a report on the incident, and the prevailing situation from the State government,” Mr. Palaniswami said and added his thoughts were with the bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. “I appeal to the people in Thoothukudi to remain calm and maintain peace and tranquility in the region,” he said.
Asked about DMK working president's arrest, he expressed surprise over the latter's protest near his office and said, “only a few minutes earlier we were together in the Assembly Business Advisory Committee meeting. Had he sought an appointment I would have received him in office,” he said and accused the DMK of enacting a drama in the issue.
DMK, allies have taken up false campaign on Sterlite: Ponnar
Union minister of state for finance and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has lashed out at the opposition DMK and its allies charging them with launching a "false and malicious campaign" with ulterior motive and appealed to the people not to believe their “bundle of lies.” “DMK and allies have taken up a false and malicious campaign against the Centre on the Sterlite's copper smelter plant, with an ulterior motive. They even go around giving one the impression that the Centre is behind this and also the police firing in Thoothukudi on May 22 and 23.
I appeal to the people of Thoothukudi and the people of Tamil Nadu not to believe the false campaign undertaken by the DMK and the Congress and their bundle of lies with regard to the Sterlite issue,” Mr Radhakrishnan said on Thursday night.Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport, here, on the eve of the all party agitation announced by the DMK, Mr Radhakrishnan asserted that he had adequate “proof” on who was really behind granting permission to the Sterlite's plant in the southern coastal town.
