Petition submitted to Coimbatore collector seeking official status for Mullivaikkal and Sterlite memorial days

By Bhavani M

Coimbatore: A petition has been submitted to the Coimbatore district collector seeking official recognition for Mullivaikkal and Sterlite remembrance days in Tamil Nadu. Aravinth N, a resident of Coimbatore, submitted the petition, urging the state govt to declare May 18 (Mullivaikkal remembrance day) and May 22 (Sterlite shooting date) be declared official state memorial days.

The petition highlights the Mullivaikkal war in Sri Lanka, during which nearly 70,000 Tamil civilians were killed. It also refers to resolutions passed in the Tamil Nadu assembly in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015, which called for investigations into war crimes and measures to support Sri Lankan Tamils. The petitioner emphasised the importance of remembering those impacted by these tragedies.

Additionally, the petition addressed the incident in Tuticorin, where police opened fire during a protest against the Sterlite plant, resulting in the deaths of 13 residents. This incident raises serious concerns about air pollution, groundwater contamination, and associated health issues, it said.

In both the cases of the Mullivaikkal war and the Sterlite shooting, the affected people fought for their rights and tragically lost their lives. Therefore, the petitioner believes it is essential to designate specific days as state memorial.

While addressing the media regarding the petition, Aravinth said, “By announcing these days as a state memorial, the struggles of the public and their history will reach the current generation. Only then will a social change be witnessed. Moreover, the new chief minister, who is very much concerned about the Sri Lankan Tamils, must consider declaring it as a state memorial day.”

The petition highlights the Mullivaikkal war in Sri Lanka, during which nearly 70,000 Tamil civilians were killed. It also refers to resolutions passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in the years 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015, which called for investigations into war crimes and measures to support Sri Lankan Tamils. The petitioner emphasised the importance of remembering those impacted by these tragedies.

Additionally, the petition addressed the incident in Tuticorin, where police opened fire during a protest against the Sterlite plant, resulting in the deaths of 13 local residents. This incident raises serious concerns about air pollution, groundwater contamination, and associated health issues.

In both the cases of the Mullivaikkal war and the Sterlite shooting, the affected individuals fought for their rights and tragically lost their lives. Therefore, the petitioner believes it is essential to designate specific days as state memorial.

While addressing the media regarding the petition, Aravinth said, “By announcing these days as a state memorial, the struggles of the public and their history will reach the current generation. Only then will a social change be witnessed. Moreover, the new chief minister, who is very much concerned about the Sri Lankan Tamil much consider declaring it as a state memorial.”

EOM