National Commission for Scheduled Caste asks administration to check school drop outs among Thoothukudi gunfire victim families

National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) vice-chairman L Murugan on Saturday concluded a three-day investigation into the police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters.
Police opening fire at protesters in Thoothukudi (file photo) | Express
Police opening fire at protesters in Thoothukudi (file photo) | Express

THOOTHUKUDI: National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) vice-chairman L Murugan on Saturday concluded a three-day investigation into the police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters on May 22 and 23 that claimed 13 lives including four Dalits.

Talking to the press persons, Murugan said that he had asked the district administration to ensure that no child, who was affected in the firing, becomes a school dropped.

Murugan quizzed the families of the Dalit victims -- Kaliappan, Kanthaiah, Selvasekar and Jeyaraman -- on the first day. He also questioned the bureaucrats, officials and the special executive magistrates present during the policing firing and the subsequent clashes. The vice-chairman also visited the sites where the police opened fire in the town and the places where the clashes erupted. He also received petitions from the public regarding the police atrocities towards the agitators, apart from enquiring about the current situation of the town after the police firing with Collector Sandeep Nanduri.

Addressing press persons, Murugan said that the commission had conducted a detailed probe into the tragic incident. “Several statements were recorded during the probe. If needed, either a public hearing or a revisit would be conducted,” he said.

He said that the families of Kaliappan and Kanthaiah, two Dalits who were shot dead by the police, are badly affected by the loss of their bread winners. “The father of Kaliappan and son of Kanthaiah are mentally ill. So I have recommended the district administration to provide high level treatment  to them,” he said.

Murugan had also instructed the district administration to inquest the children of the gunfire victims who are continuing their studies and to ensure that no child is dropped out of the school. He had also asked the officials to prioritise the victims for disbursal of business loans. Appealing the district police to conduct sports activities for the youth in the locality, Murugan urged the district administration to provide basic amenities required for the purpose.

Detailed probe held
Addressing press persons, NCSC vice-chairman L Murugan said that panel had conducted a detailed probe into the tragic incident. “Several statements were recorded during the probe. If needed, either a public hearing or a revisit would be conducted,” he said.

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