State govt withdraws some cases against anti-Sterlite protesters

TUTICORIN: Chief minister M K Stalin on Friday withdrew a section of cases registered against anti-Sterlite protesters and members of the public following the police firing on May 22, 2018 which left 13 dead and hundreds injured in riots and police excesses. The CM also announced in a statement that a compensation of ?1 lakh each would be given to 93 people arrested at that time for the injuries and mental agony they suffered.
The statement said CBI cases and those booked under Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act (TNPPDL) will not be withdrawn. Cases pending before the Supreme Court in this regard and “a few other cases” will also not be withdrawn. No objection certificate would be issued for pursuing higher education and for jobs to those arrested.
A sum of ?2 lakh was announced for the aged mother of a man who died in jail after he was remanded in connection with another case.
The announcements were based on recommendations given to the government in the interim report by the retired justice Aruna Jagadeesan commission which is probing the riots and deaths. While the statement says the commission was probing deaths, injuries and damages caused during the riots on May 22, 2018, there was no mention of ‘police firing’ that claimed lives.
“There is lack of clarity with regard to withdrawal of cases,” says V Velraj, a leading protester who was booked under nearly 135 cases. He alleged that the protesters who were targeted by police were booked under TNPPDL Act. The high court had in August 2018 merged 173 cases in connection with the anti-Sterlite protests into one case. He said that the government should clarify whether those cases are among the more than 230 registered that have been withdrawn.
“Tuticorin’s key demand of identifying and arresting police personnel who fired at the protesters and officials who ordered the firing has not been met,” says Krishnamoorthy who had 106 cases against him. Tuticorin MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi told reporters that the finer details of the government’s statement will be issued in a GO in a day or two. “The government is ensuring that they don’t set a wrong precedent by withdrawing the cases registered under TNPPDL Act,” she said.