Superstar Rajinikanth today blamed anti-social elements for the anti-Sterlite protests here last week that resulted in 13 deaths in police firing, and called for a Jayalalithaa-style ‘iron fist' policy to crush such people in the interest of Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters after meeting those injured in the police firing, he did not favour K Palaniswami's resignation as chief minister over the issue.
“The attack on the collector's office and setting on fire (Sterlite) quarters was not done by the common people. Some anti-social elements infiltrated… (the protesting locals). It is their handiwork,” he said and expressed grief that ‘this noble protest' had ended on a bloody note.
The actor, who gave away Rs 10,000 relief to each of the 48 injured persons, said pro-Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu last year also saw infiltration of ‘anti-social elements'.
He had earlier announced a relief of Rs two lakh each to the families of the 13 deceased.
“The government should crush such anti-social elements with an iron fist. On that front I laud Jayalalithaa as she kept such persons under check with an iron…