In 2018, 16 people were killed in police firing on protestors against the Sterlite plant in Tuticorin. The Aruna Jagadeesan Commission, which investigated and reported on the matter, insisted that action should be taken against the relevant officials. Meanwhile, the promotion of Sailesh Kumar, who was the IG of the South Zone when the shooting took place, was controversial a few months ago. There were demands to withdraw the promotion. In this situation, Deputy District Collector Kannan, who ordered the firing, has been promoted as a temporary District Collector.
AAMUK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran has condemned this and said, “The Tamil Nadu government promoted Sailesh Kumar IPS as the DGP last January, who was said to be the main reason for firing on those protesting against the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi. Now Kannan, who ordered the firing, has been promoted as a temporary local authority, which is highly condemnable,” he said.
He criticized the DMK government for not taking any action against the officers responsible for the Thoothukudi firing which caused shockwaves across the country, instead promoting them and looking good has caused great turmoil among the families of the victims and the people of Thoothukudi district.
Dhinakaran questioned that based on the inquiry report filed by retired judge Aruna Jagatheesan regarding the shooting incident, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had assured that strict action would be taken against whoever was found guilty, but the promotion of the accused was the strict action taken against them.
Further, “Government and police officials responsible for the firing should be immediately revoked from their promotions. DTV Dhinakaran urged the Tamil Nadu government to take legal action against all the officials accused in the case.
