HRF takes out rally against firing in Thoothukudi

Human Rights Forum in association with several people’s organisations took out a candlelight rally here on Saturday in memory of persons who died in police firing in Thoothukudi on May 22.

The rally that began at Press Club proceeded through main thoroughfares to Shahid Bhagath Singh bust on Bodhan road. It was attended by activists of TUWJ (IJU), Jana Vignana Vedika, All India Lawyers’ Union, Telangana Bhasha Sahithi Samskritika Vedika, All India Rythu Coolie Sangham, Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham, IFTU, CITU, AITUC, PDSU, SFI, AISF, PYL, AIYF, PoW and AIDWA.

On the occasion, HRF State president Gorrepati Madhava Rao said the residents of Thoothukudi had been fighting against the Sterlite copper factory established by Vedantha Resources Company for the last 20 years as it was the cause of pollution in the area.

The company management, with the support of the State and the Central governments, provoked police firing resulting in the death of 13 innocent persons during a protest against the company, he said.

Mr. Madhava Rao demanded registration of murder cases against police officers responsible for mass killings, payment of Rs. 1 crore to each bereaved family and permanent closure of the Sterlite factory