Tamil Nadu CM orders Rs 5.25 crore additional relief for Sterlite protest victims
The compensation follows recommendations from the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of Inquiry after families requested further assistance.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday ordered the disbursement of an additional Rs 5.25 crore in relief for families affected by the 2018 anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi. According to reports from The Hindu and India Today, the decision follows requests made by the affected families and recommendations from the Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of Inquiry.
The 2018 agitation against the Sterlite Copper plant resulted in 13 deaths and 40 grievous injuries during police firing on May 22 and May 23. The government had previously provided Rs 25 lakh to the families of the 13 deceased and Rs 5 lakh to each of the 40 injured persons.
Under the new order, the families of the 13 deceased will receive an additional Rs 25 lakh each, bringing their total compensation to Rs 50 lakh per family. The 40 injured persons will receive a further Rs 5 lakh each, making their total compensation Rs 10 lakh per person.
The additional Rs 5.25 crore consists of Rs 3.25 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 2 crore for the injured. This amount is over and above the compensation already provided by the state government.
Environmental organisation Poovulagin Nanbargal welcomed the announcement, stating it would provide relief to the families. However, the organisation noted that financial compensation alone would not amount to full justice and urged the government to ensure those accused receive punishment.