Thoothukudi: The violence-hit ‘Pearl city’ of Thoothukudi began limping back to normalcy on Friday, three days after Tuesday’s police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters.
The crisis management team led by top bureaucrats Gagandeep Singh Bedi and PWC Dawidar visited various places and took stock of the situation. Normal bus services have been restored in rural Thoothukudi. For the benefit of passengers stranded in the district, the administration permitted bus services from Madurai, Tiruchy, Tiruchendur and other places.
However, bus services in riot-rocked Thoothukudi town have remained paralysed for the last three days. The administration and police personnel are holding talks with representatives of bus operators to resume normal bus services in Thoothukudi. Anna Nagar, Bryan Nagar and Muthalamman Colony remained tense. And surveillance of these places was done with the help of a helicam.
Speaking to reporters after monitoring the situation, Gagandeep Singh Bedi said people requested the police to halt door-to-door security checks. Acceding to their request, this would be halted immediately, he said.
They have also requested the administration to withdraw additional deployment of commando forces in Thoothukudi. Mr Bedi said this would be withdrawn immediately. Considering the law and order situation, special forces would be withdrawn gradually.
Mr Dawidar also appealed the people to cooperate with the administration to restore normalcy. Meanwhile, district collector Sandeep Nanduri and SP Murali Rambha visited various places to reassure citizens of peace returning. Mr Nanduri said the for the benefit of people, vegetables from Madurai were brought to the town and sold at ‘Farm Fresh’ outlet operated by Tamil Nadu Cooperative Society. ‘Aavin’ parlour is selling milk round the clock.
