1. Anti-Sterlite Protests: HC Seeks Report on Sterlite Prior to Riots, Firing
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday asked the State to submit reports, videos and other documentary evidence pertaining to the anti-Sterlite protests prior to the Thoothukudi riots, which took place on the 100th day of the protests. A division bench of Justices also sought Intelligence reports of the Thoothukudi police. The State has been directed to submit its reports on July 18.
The petitioner said the residents of Thoothukudi were being put to much hardship as people were being detained by the police. Even juveniles were being targeted. The midnight knocks on the doors were continuing. Multiple cases were being filed against individuals, he added.
(Source: The Hindu)
2. Rahul Gandhi and ‘Kaala’ Director Pa Ranjith Discuss Art, Politics
Congress President Rahul Gandhi met Kaala director Pa Ranjith in Delhi on 10 July. Gandhi took to Twitter to share the news, and said he enjoyed discussing “politics, film and society” with the acclaimed filmmaker. He also met the actor Kalaiyarasan.
Interestingly, Ranjith has been lauded for showcasing Dalit life and politics in his films, Madras, Kabali and Kaala. Ranjith in turn responded by thanking Rahul Gandhi for having him over and discussing politics and art. The Kaala director also added that they discussed how caste and religious bias was threatening the core of “our secular constitution”. Pa Ranjith ended his tweet by saying, “A national leader engaging with people from all ideologies is very encouraging!”
Read the full story here.
3. Minor, Murdered in Chennai by Employers, Was Sold to Them by a Trafficker Posing as Aunt
Close to a week after 17-year-old Mahalakshmi, a domestic help, was murdered by the family that employed her, the National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NDWM) has alleged that she was a victim of child trafficking. The woman who posed as her aunt and to whom the police handed over the girl’s body is in fact her trafficker, the NDWM says.
Four years ago, the woman had dropped her off the girl at Kanchipuram. Her employers, Muruganandham and his wife Sushmitha made her do minor household chores and look after their 10-year-old son. One day, the women tortured the girl and poured hot water on her, leaving her bed ridden. The girl was found dead as a result of the severe burn injuries, blood clots and heat boils and she was reportedly assaulted with knives.
(Source: The News Minute)
4. TN Is 15th in Ease of Doing Business Ranking, State Says Report Not Acceptable
Tamil Nadu, climbed three places from 2016, to the 15th spot in the Business Reforms Action Plan 2017 list released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
The government of Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, is in denial of the state ranking lower than its neighbours. TN Minister for Fisheries, D Jayakumar said, "Recently the TN cabinet has given clearance to CEAT tyre industry to set up factory at a cost of Rs 6000 crores in Sriperambudur. While many investors are seeking TN out specifically to start their businesses, the reports like these which peg the state at 12th or 15th position cannot be accepted."
(Source: The News Minute)
5. Corporation to Complete Desilting of 100 Tanks Before Monsoon Arrives
Work to desilt 100 waterbodies is under progress in the city and the tanks will be ready before monsoon to help recharge groundwater tables, M Govinda Rao, Deputy Commissioner (works), Chennai Corporation, said. The Corporation had set up a single window system to grant permission within a week for desilting waterbodies in the city, he added.
The CII had taken up the restoration of 31 waterbodies around Chennai with the support of the State government, an official said.
(Source: The Hindu)
6. Frequent Idol Thefts Irk HC No End
Piqued over incessant complaints of thefts of ancient idols reported in the State, Justice R Mahadevan of the Madras High Court warned the State government that he would be constrained to order a Central Bureau of Investigation probe if the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department did not spring into action.
The judge took serious note of a complaint made by Rangarajan Narasimhan of Tiruchi alleging theft of several precious artefacts from the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam and recent newspaper reports of a Panchaloga (a traditional five metal alloy) idol having been stolen from the famous Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai district.
(Source: The Hindu)
7. Cop Riding Bike Without Helmet Killed in Mishap: Medico Held
City cops are present in every corner of the road and at traffic signals to effectively ‘enforce’ the Madras high court order, directing compulsory helmets for two-wheeler riders in the city. If S Paulraj, a head constable attached to Ambattur police station had followed the court direction, he would have been alive and would have nabbed a few more accused.
S Paulraj (43), was a head constable in Ambattur police station and was returning home after work at around 10.20 pm on his two-wheeler. Another two-wheeler trailing him rammed into his vehicle from behind throwing him off the vehicle. With severe injuries on his head, he was taken to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital for treatment but died there at around 6.30 am on Wednesday, police added.
(Source: Deccan Chronicle)
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