Thoothukudi police firing: Deputy CM visits injured in hospital

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Monday visited the government hospital in Thoothukudi where dozens of injured are receiving treatment after police opened fire at them last week. He was accompanied by state fisheries minister D Jayakumar, information minister Kadambur Raju and Adi Dravida welfare minister VM Rajalakshmi.

O Panneerselvam visited the victims at the hospital and enquired about their health. He also reportedly informed them about the government’s decision to increase the ex-gratia amount to the families of the deceased and to the injured.

Speaking to reporters, the Deputy CM said that the government will take all the steps to permanently shut down the Sterlite copper plant as the residents around the plant are demanding its closure. Environmental activists and residents protested against the plant claiming that emissions from the plant caused environmental degradation and affected people’s health.