Chief minister Vijay provides ₹5.25 crore additional relief for Sterlite firing victims

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered an additional relief of ₹5.25 crore for the victims or their families who fell victim to police firing during the protests against the Sterlite copper smelting plant in 2018, according to an NDTV report.

The decision to provide this additional financial assistance has been taken keeping in view the recommendations of the Aruna Jagadeesan Commission. The Chief Minister has taken this significant decision based on the suggestions of this Commission.

It is noteworthy that protests were held against the Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi district in May 2018. A total of 13 people died in the police firing that took place during these protests on May 22 and 23, 2018. Many others were also injured in this incident.

According to government lists, financial assistance had previously been provided to the affected persons of this incident. Families of the deceased were previously provided assistance of ₹25 lakh each, while 40 seriously injured persons were previously provided assistance of ₹5 lakh each.

Taking into account the appeals made by members of the affected families for additional relief, the Chief Minister sympathetically examined the request. After investigation, in accordance with the recommendations of the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission, he ordered the distribution of a total additional relief of ₹5.25 crore, an official statement regarding which was released on Wednesday.

Showing the details of this comprehensive package, it was stated that out of this amount, ₹3.25 crore will be used to provide an additional ₹25 lakh each to the families of those who died in the firing. In this way, the families of the deceased will now receive an additional amount in addition to the assistance previously received.

The remaining ₹2 crore package will be used for those injured in the firing. Through this amount, an additional ₹5 lakh each will be distributed to the injured. The assistance received by the victims has been increased through this financial package.

In this entire process, priority has been given to the findings of the Commission and the demands of the affected persons, so that the victims of this tragic incident of 2018 can receive proper justice and financial support. It is hoped that this decision of the Chief Minister will provide great relief to the affected families.

A commission was set up to investigate the police action and deaths in this 2018 incident.