Thoothukudi violence: Ex-judge begins probe

Facing severe criticism from various quarters, the State government had constituted the inquiry commission, which has been entrusted with the task of investigating the incident, that left 13 anti-Sterlite protesters dead and several injured, inquire with the victims and the kin of the deceased and to submit the report in three months.

The retired judge, who arrived in Thoothukudi on Monday morning, held a meeting with District Collector Sandeep Nanduri and SP Murali Ramba before coming out of the airport. After assessing the situation, Jagadeesan went to the Collector office where she assumed charge.

Subsequently, she visited the Thoothukudi GH in the afternoon where she met the injured. After hearing the version of the injured, she instructed them to submit the same in the form of affidavits before the commission.

In the evening, she visited the houses of three deceased, Ranjith Kumar, Shanmugam and Kandiah, and inquired with their family members about the firing incident that took place on May 22.

Addressing mediapersons, Jagadeesan said the probe would be conducted in a free and fair manner. She would be present at the old circuit house in Thoothukudi and people who have information and evidence such as unedited videos can submit them as affidavits to the commission till June 22.

Based on the affidavits, summons would be issued to the individuals concerned, who can later depose before the commission, she said.

Jagadeesan also assured that the affidavits and statements of the victims would be kept secret and the commission would consider them without any bias.

The probe will be conducted three or four days in a week and both the public and government officials will be spoken to as part of the inquiry process.

CPM Polit Bureau Member G Ramakrishnan on Monday demanded the withdrawal of the excess police force deployed in Thoothukudi. Speaking to reporters at Kumbakonam, the CPM leader said normalcy is yet to return in Thoothukudi due to the heavy strength of police personnel deployed there. Claiming that the police have been directed to monitor and arrest the public, Ramakrishnan called for the immediate withdrawal of the police force so that the people could feel relieved. Meanwhile, he pointed out that water has not been released from the Mettur dam for Kuruvai cultivation in the last six years. The State government should thus get water from Karnataka for the Kuruvai crops, he added.