13 deaths later, TN govt orders closure of Tuticorin Sterlite plant

Mangalore Today News Network

Tuticorn, May 28, 2018 : The Tamil Nadu government on Monday ordered the permanent closure of a Sterlite Copper in Tuticorin which locals say pollutes groundwater - and was the headspring of violent protests in which 13 people were killed in police firing.

 

In its order, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami’s administration evoked a slogan used by the late AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa - "I am by the people, I am for the people." - and said it worked with the same emotion.

Today’s announcement caps a dramatic week of events in the southern port city. Here’s a five-point fact sheet.

STATE GOVT FACES FLAK : The civilian deaths drew national attention. Opposition leaders excoriated the AIADMK government and the Centre (Rahul Gandhi decried an example of "state-sponsored terrorism").

CM DEFENSIVE: But Chief Minister Palaniswami defended his police, and accused "some anti-social elements" of infiltrating the agitation, attacking the police, and setting their vehicles ablaze. He also blamed "some" opposition parties and leaders, saying they "misguided" the protesters.

A PLEDGE : At the time, Palaniswami had said his government was taking steps to close down the Sterlite plant - using legal means.

STALIN’S DHARNA : MK Stalin -- the leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly -- sat on a dharna outside the Chief Minister’s Office in Chennai on Thursday. Cadres from his DMK party had gathered in large numbers outside Fort St George, the seat of the state government, to protest against the Palaniswami administration. Stalin was forcefully evicted.

CASES AGAINST OPPOSITION LEADERS : Opposition leaders who visited victims in Tuticorin on Wednesday were booked for violating Section 144. MK Stalin, Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, and Congress leader Thirunavukkarasar were among them.