Stalin again calls for TN Chief Minister’s resignation

Chennai, May 23 (IANS) DMK leader M.K. Stalin on Wednesday again called for the resignation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami after the killing of 10 persons in police firing on protesters marching against the Sterlite Copper Smelting plant in Thoothukudi.

Stalin also cancelled his Bengaluru trip for the swearing-in ceremony of Congress-JD-S coalition government led by H.D. Kumaraswamy in Karnataka. He left for Thoothukudi to assess the situation and meet those injured in the widespread violence on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters at the airport, the DMK leader reiterated his demand, seeking the resignation of the Chief Minister and ouster of the Tamil Nadu police chief.

Stalin also sought to know who ordered police firing on the protesters who were demanding the closure of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper unit over pollution concerns.

The DMK and other parties have announced state-wide protest demonstrations on May 25 to be held in front of all district headquarters. This is to condemn the ruling AIADMK for opening fire on protesters and also demanding permanent closure of the Sterlite plant.

A DMK statement said the Congress and the IUML, MDMK, VCK, CPI, CPI-M, Dravida Kazhagam and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi would participate in the demonstration.

Meanwhile, hundreds of CPI-M workers were arrested for staging protests at several places in Tamil Nadu, including in capital Chennai.