Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday cleared an additional compensation package of ₹5.25 crore for the victims and families shattered by the May 2018 police firing during protests against the Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi.
The decision delivers long-delayed financial closure. Under the sanctioned outlay, the state will disburse an additional ₹25 lakh each to the families of the 13 protesters killed in the crackdown, alongside ₹5 lakh each for 40 survivors who suffered severe injuries. The sanctions follow direct appeals from victims' families and align strictly with recommendations submitted by the Justice Aruna Jegadeesan Commission of Inquiry, an official state release confirmed.
Thoothukudi erupted six years ago. On May 22 and 23, 2018, thousands took to the streets demanding the permanent shutdown of the Sterlite copper smelting facility over severe environmental and health alarms. Police forces opened live fire on the demonstrators. Thirteen people died of bullet wounds across two days of unrest. Dozens more collapsed with debilitating injuries.
The newly sanctioned sum doubles the baseline ex-gratia previously provided by the administration. Following the 2018 shootings, the government had distributed an initial compensation of ₹25 lakh each to the kin of the 13 deceased individuals, while releasing ₹5 lakh each to 40 persons who sustained critical trauma.
The families pushed back. Facing lifelong medical bills and the loss of primary breadwinners, representatives from the affected households submitted fresh appeals urging the state to implement the financial directives framed by the one-man inquiry commission. Chief Minister Vijay examined those petitions before approving the state exchequer's ₹5.25 crore commitment.
| Beneficiary Group | Number of Recipients | Prior Compensation Paid | Additional Relief Cleared | Total State Outlay Per Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kin of Deceased Protesters | 13 Families | ₹25,00,000 | ₹25,00,000 (₹3.25 Crore total) | ₹50,00,000 |
| Severely Injured Survivors | 40 Individuals | ₹5,00,000 | ₹5,00,000 (₹2.00 Crore total) | ₹10,00,000 |
| Combined Total Package | 53 Beneficiaries | ₹5.25 Crore | ₹5.25 Crore | ₹10.50 Crore |
State revenue authorities will execute the electronic bank transfers directly to the designated bank accounts of the 53 verified recipients in Thoothukudi district over the coming days.