Tuticorin Police Firing: Panel Recommends Action Against Collector, Cops

Tuticorin police firing: There had been excess on the part of the police, said the commission of enquiry report.

The commission of inquiry into the Tuticorin police firing resulting in 13 deaths and injuries to 100 persons in May 2018, suggested action against the then district Collector, police officers and deputy tahsildars for their acts of commission and omission, besides enhanced compensation to the families of the victims.

The Commission suggested requisite departmental action against the then district collector Venkatesh about his style of functioning reminiscent of abdication of his responsibility.

"The conclusion then becomes irresistible that there had been excess on the part of the police. The totality of the facts and circumstances would not suggest that the police had been acting in exercise of the right of private defence. As a matter of fact it is not even the version of police," Justice Aruna Jagadeesan commission of enquiry report, tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, said.

The police officials jointly and severally accountable are IG Shailesh Kumar Yadav, DIG Kapil Kumar C Karatkar and SP P Mahendran, and 17 officials, the report said and suggested departmental action and other actions known to law against three special executive magistrates/deputy tahsildars.