Superstar turned politician Rajnikanth today met those injured in the police firing incident in the anti-sterlite protests in Thoothukkudi general hospital. “I am going to the hospital in Thoothukudi to visit the injured. It is just a goodwill gesture,” ANI quoted Rajinikanth. The superstar had heavily criticised the Tamil Nadu state government for the police firing opened on the protesting crowds and even blamed the state government for the firing incident saying that they were responsible for the event.

The superstar's new film Kaala will release on June 7 worlwide except the state of Karnataka. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) blocked the superstar's next release because of his statement on the Cauvery issue.

The superstar, also known as Thalaivar, said about the ban on release that , "I don't know the reason behind banning my movie. The KFCC is a part of South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and I believe that they will intervene in this issue and come to an amicable solution."

Meanwhile, the Thoothukkudi police firing continues to garner criticism. In an official press release, Kamal Hassan's party Makkal Needhi Maiam said, "The protests against the Sterlite plant were taken lightly by the Tamil Nadu government, and that attitude is the reason for today's unfortunate events. The citizens are not criminals. They have always been dying, first because of the plant now because of the government's attitude. Everyone, please stay calm."

The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday, May 29 decided to send its fact-finding team to probe the deaths of 13 people in police firing during the protests against Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district.

The move came days after the Delhi High Court had left it to the NHRC to decide on a lawyer's representation for an independent probe into it. The rights panel had earlier issued notices to Tamil Nadu's chief secretary and the director general of police seeking detailed reports in two weeks, along with the status of those who were being treated for injuries.

On Monday, the copies of FIRs registered at SIPCOT, North and Southpolice stations, brought to light the fact that the firing was ordered by three deputy tahsildars.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2018 12:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).