Panneerselvam in Thoothukudi to meet people injured in anti-Sterlite protest

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam arrived at the government hospital in Thoothukudi on Monday to meet those injured in anti-Sterlite protest a week after the incident claimed 13 lives.

Panneerselvam and state minister D Jayakumar visited Collector's office where vehicles were torched by protesters during the protest.

A day before Chief Minister K Palaniswami doubled the aid to families of the 13 people killed in police firing from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Moreover, Tamil Nadu DGP TK Rajendran said internet services would also be restored from Sunday night in Thoothukudi, the nerve centre of the protests.

The government also increased aid for those seriously injured to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh and for those with minor injuries to Rs 1.50 lakh from Rs one lakh. According to PTI, the decision was taken after due consultation with retired Madras High Court Judge Aruna Jagadeesan, who is heading the Commission of Inquiry set up by the government to probe the violence.

The same day Tamil Nadu authorities lifted prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC.

The months-long protest demanding the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Thoothukudi took a violent turn on Tuesday, 22 May, with agitators allegedly pelting stones and toppling police vehicles after they were prevented from marching towards the plant.

(With PTI inputs)