THOOTHUKUDI: The funeral of J Snowlin (17) who was killed in the Thoothukudi police firing was held at the cemetery of Sahaya Annai church in Lionstown, in the presence of thousands of people who came from across the district to pay their last respects to the teenager here on Sunday.
After a re-postmortem conducted at the Thoothukudi medical college hospital, Snowlin’s body was taken to her residence at Minisahayapuram in Lionstown. The police bundobust was withdraw following a request from the victim’s family. People flew black flags during the funeral procession to the Sahaya Annai church, the parish she belonged to. After the final prayers, the body was carried to the cemetery on George road amid wails and mourning of her relatives, acquaintances, friends and the general public who came from places like Manapad, Amalie Nagar, and Tiruchendur to pay homage to the girl. After the last rites, the body was laid to rest at the cemetery. The coastal areas wore a gloomy look while posters condoling the death appeared across Thoothukudi. At least, 5000 people participated in the funeral procession, said an official.
While Snowlin was gunned down by the police, her friend Infanta had a narrow escape. She fell on the ground sustaining bullet injuries on the face at the Collectorate premises.
An autopsy was performed by the doctors at Thoothukudi medical college hospital and re-postmortem was conducted on her body following a court order. Despite talks by the revenue officials, the parents and relatives of the minor girl had earlier refused to receive the body saying that the demands of the protesters should be met first. They agreed to receive the body after an intervention by the fathers of Roman Catholic diocese.
Right in the front
Snowlin was fronting the anti-Sterlite rally taken out from Mathakovil on May 22, marking the 100th Day of the agitation demanding closure of the smelter on SIPCOT complex