Police used AK 47 rifles, claims Stalin

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who did not even visit the victims of the police firing in Thoothukudi, should accept his failure and step down from his post, DMK working president M.K. Stalin said here on Wednesday.

“He has not even sent the local Ministers to the spot to ensure peace. The inefficient Chief Minister should resign,” he told reporters at the Chennai airport on his way to Thoothukudi.

Mr. Stalin claimed the police used modern firearms, including AK 47 rifles, to kill the protesters as if they were terrorists.

“Eleven persons have been killed and a lot of others have been severely injured. DGP T.K. Rajendran, who is facing allegations in the gutkha scam, has failed as the leader of the police force and he should immediately resign,” he said.

Besides demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and DGP T.K. Rajendran, Mr. Stalin called for the transfer of the Thoothukudi Collector and the Superintendent of Police.

Asked about the claim of Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar that the police firing had become inevitable, Mr. Stalin said the Minister was only interested in saving his position and the government.

“Human lives have been sacrificed. Even though well aware of the protesters’ plan to take out a rally, the police had failed to take precautionary measures. The inefficient rulers only blabber,” he said.