HC directs closure of cases against flood-hit in Tuticorin

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court today directed police to close the FIRs filed against about 2,500 persons for holding demonstrations at various places in Tuticorin district demanding flood relief and steps to drain flood waters.
A bench, comprising Justice V.Ramasubramanian and Justice N.Kirubakaran, said the people would have demonstrated due to frustration and it was an outburst of feelings as they needed relief immediately. Cases had been registered only under simple section (of IPC) and hence they could be closed.
The judges, hearing a petition by Puthiya Tamizhagam leader K.Krishnaswamy seeking to appoint an independent monitoring committee under the supervision of the court to assess the loss caused by flood and accerlate flood relief works, also directed the Tuticorin city corporation to install more pumping machines in places where water was still stagnant.

The bench also said the authorities should supply drinking water to all the areas where it was needed.
It suggested to the district administration to form a grievance cell which could receive petitions both on line and offline and take immediate action on the same.
The Judges wanted the frequency of the sprinkling of bleaching powder to be increased if necessary. "Let the officials analyse the area and use the disinfectants according to needs.