Uproar in Thoothukudi over custodial death of 2 traders, #JusticeForJayarajAndFenix trends

Protests erupted in Thoothukudi on Wednesday, June 24, over custodial deaths of two shopkeepers in Tamil Nadu. In spite of strict lockdown being implemented in parts of State, traders association of Tamil Nadu has anunced ir decision to shut shops across State to protest against death of two shopkeepers in Tuticorin (Thoothukudi), a coastal town in south Tamil Nadu.

President of Tamil Nadu Traders Association (TNTA) Vellaiyan, explained that association would close all shutters down for a day to protest against chilling case of police brutality on Jayaray and Bennix, a far-son duo who owned a small mobile phone shop in Tuticorin. Vellayan urged public t to panic as he voiced concerns over violent and inhumane treatment of two people who were killed in police custody over a petty argument. incident has since triggered widespread political outr.

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What happened to Jayaraj and Bennix?

60-year-old Jayaraj and his son Bennix (30) were reportedly detained by Thoothukudi police on Monday night following an altercation over keeping Bennix's mobile phone shop open beyond permissible hours during lockdown. 

argument reportedly escalated when police manhandled Jayaraj reby prompting Bennix to intervene. duo was n taken to Sathankulam police station and was allegedly brutally assaulted by two police officer (both sub-inspectors). 

Several eyewitnesses and bystanders privy to information stated that after having been attacked and by cops duo complained of uneasiness and was rushed to a hospital, only hours after being remanded in Kovilpatti Sub-Jail. It was later reported that Bennix had died in hospital and a few hours following that his far died too.

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Following outr and widespread protests in city, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court ordered postmortem procedure to be videographed. Having reportedly suspended both police involved, court also initiated a suo-moto inquiry into case.

DMK president and opposition leader MK Stalin has demanded Chief Minister Edapadi Palaniswami who also currently holds State Home Minister portfolio to take immediate action. Several political bigwigs such as KS Alagiri, Vaiko and GK Vasan have taken to social media and interacted with press condemning incident. 

Prominent members of Kollywood circle such as director Karthik Subbaraj and singer Suchitra have all released videos and posted tweets in aftermath of incident demanding urgent and appropriate action be taken against erring police officials. ir pleas quickly caught media attention and #JusticeForJayarajAndFenix started trending on Twitter.

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