First anniversary of police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters observed

The first anniversary of the police firing incident in which 13 anti-Sterlite protesters were killed in front of the District Collectorate on May 22 last year (one victim was shot the next day) was observed in the coastal town on Wednesday.

Though the police had earlier denied permission for organising the events marking the occasion, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court allowed the events to be held, subject to a few conditions.

Functions in memory of the victims were conducted at 24 places on Wednesday. In an event organised by the Anti-Sterlite People’s Movement at a hotel near the fishing harbour, Bishop of Thoothukudi RC Diocese Rt. Rev. Stephen Antony, president of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai T. Vellaiyan and office-bearers of various political parties took part. The participants lit candles in memory of the 13 people who lost their lives and offered floral tributes to their portraits.