Sampath Commission justifies Paramakudi police firing

A judicial inquiry report into the police firing in Paramakudi of Ramanathapuram district in 2011 in which five persons were killed, has justified it saying the consequences would have been 'catastrophic' if such action had not been taken.
The one-man Judicial Commission headed by K Sampath in its report, tabled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today, said "had the police not resorted to firing to quell the savage mob, there would have been loss of lives from police side also and the violence would have fanned the flames of caste clashes not only in that area but in other southern districts as well."

The commission was of the view that the force used by the police was "absolutely warranted" to maintain peace and restore normalcy and "the police firing is justified".
The commission said "there was no excess on the part of the police officials during the violence, however, the conduct of the police after riots had been quelled, to say the least, was disgraceful."
Paramakudi witnessed violence on September 11, 2011 between two caste groups during the death anniversary of Dalit leader Immanuel Sekaran, prompting police to open fire in which five persons were killed and scores injured.
The incident attracted national focus with various political parties and Dalit leaders condemning the police action and demanding a thorough probe, following which the judicial inquiry was ordered.

Stoutly coming in defence of the police firing, the commission noted "if the firing had not been resorted to, the consequences would have been catastrophic," and referred to the mob surrounding all women police station and assaulting several police personnel besides locking them up inside.

It also came down against the rioters, who in its opinion, exceeded all decency bordering on bestiality, "and it is totally unpardonable."
Making a series of recommendations, it said the culprits already booked in connection with the violence should be awarded deterrent punishment.
The commission recommended against deployment of women police personnel on duty in such situations.

It also suggested to the government to introduce prohibition on the Gujarat model to ensure social health of the people and was against grant of freebies.