HC directs govt to submit video evidence on Tuticorin violence

The Madras High Court today asked the Tamil Nadu government to furnish video in its possession allegedly showing some anti-Sterlite protesters with petrol bombs during the stir in May as it observed a CBI probe into the incident will instill confidence in the minds of people.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice P T Asha gave the directive during the hearing of petitions seeking a CBI probe into the May 22-23 police firing in Tuticorin that left 13 people dead after the protest demanding closure of Sterlite's copper unit turned violent.

It was responding after state Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted that the government was in possession of video in which it can be seen that some protestors were carrying petrol bombs.

Directing the government to produce the video in the court, the bench said if the allegations were true, such persons cannot be allowed to get away. "More over it would be wrong to say that the police cannot act in self defence."