At least 10 persons were killed in police firing in port town of Thoothukudi on Tuesday over protests against Sterlite Copper. The residents have been demanding the closure of the unit, citing pollution of natural resources and it being a health hazard. The Home Ministry has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a report regarding the violence.
Following the developments, the Madurai bench of Madras High Court stayed the construction of a new copper smelter by #Sterlite industries in Thoothukudi on Wednesday.
A judicial inquiry has been instituted to probe the incident of violence. A compensation of Rs. 10 lakh has been announced to the families of each of those killed; Rs 3 lakh to those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh to those who suffered minor injuries.
The port town continues to be on the boil as the protest against the expansion of Sterlite Copper entered its 100th day on Tuesday.
According to news reports, violence broke out when protesters took out a rally from various places of Thoothukudi and moved up to the four-road intersection close to the traffic signal on Palayamkottai Road.
Here’s the latest from the Thoothukudi:
2:20 pm: Taking suo moto cognisance of the violence, NHRC has issued a notice to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP).
11:32 am: Madurai bench of Madras High Court stays construction of a new copper smelter by Sterlite industries in Thoothukudi.
#BreakingNews | தூத்துக்குடி ஸ்டெர்லைட் ஆலை விரிவாக்கத்துக்கு தடை- உயர்நிதிமன்றம் அதிரடி தீர்ப்பு #SterliteProtest #Thoothukudi @sunnewstamil pic.twitter.com/RkR1Hb3E2x
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) May 23, 2018
11:05 am: According to news reports, the Home Ministry has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu govt over police firing and violence in the port city.
11:00 am: There are reports of police personnel trying to disperse a group of protesters outside Thoothukudi government hospital.
#Thoothukudi #SterliteProtest #TNJallianwalabagh #BanSterliteSaveThoothukudi தூத்துக்குடி அரசு மருத்துவமனை முன் போராட்டம் நடத்தியவர்கள் மீது தடியடிhttps://t.co/tPVb11A9TV pic.twitter.com/Sybj03fut6
— Dinakaran (@dinakaranonline) May 23, 2018
10:46 am: The Madras High Court will hear pleas this afternoon regarding the police firing in Thoothukudi.
10:24 am: About 6,000 paramilitary forces have arrived in the port town. Bus service from Madurai has been halted, sources say. A flight leaving for Thoothukudi from Chennai has been delayed by an hour.
10:00 am: The district administration has has extended the imposition Section 144 of CrPC in Thoothukudi and Thiruchendur taluks till May 25.
‘Plant currently non-operational’
Vendanta, in a statement, expressed its sorrow over the incident and has appealed for peace. “It is with great sorrow and regret that we witnessed today’s incidents around the protest at Tuticorin. The company has appealed to the government and authorities to ensure the safety of our employees, facilities and the surrounding community. The Sterlite Copper plant is currently non-operational as we await approval for the Consent to Operate.”
Last month, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had rejected Sterlite’s plea to renew the Consent to Operate for its existing smelter plant at Thoothukudi.
Politicians across spectrum voice their views
DMK working president M.K. Stalin questioned the lack of adequate police presence to maintain law and order. He took to Twitter to say, “Why was there not adequate police presence to maintain law and order during #SterliteProtest? Is it accurate to say that there was a total failure of State intelligence which led to these unfortunate deaths? Did IG-Intelligence brief police and @CMOTamilNadu on the situation?”
Congress president Rahul Gandhi said his “thoughts & prayers are with the families of these martyrs and the injured.” He said, “The gunning down by the police of 9 people in the #SterliteProtest in Tamil Nadu, is a brutal example of state sponsored terrorism. These citizens were murdered for protesting against injustice. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of these martyrs and the injured.”
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said, “I just landed in Bengaluru to the shocking news about incident near the Sterlite Tuticorin plant. My thoughts and prayers with the people of Tamil Nadu at this hour of grief. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and hope the injured recover soon.”
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan is set to visit Thoothukudi today.
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