Latest news with #anti-Sterlite
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Sterlite Copper supporters want a ‘green restart'
THOOTHUKUDI: Over 1,000 people laid siege to the collectorate on Monday, demanding a "green restart" of the defunct Sterlite Copper smelter in Thoothukudi. The protesters cited unemployment and claimed that the green restart -- a proposal recommended by Vedanta's expert panel -- would address pollution issues, which was one of the major concerns. Many police personnel were deployed for bandobust duty, and they set up barricades in front of the collectorate to prevent the huge crowd from entering the premises. People from villages surrounding the SIPCOT complex, Tsunami colony, and various associations took part. Roja Raja, claiming to be a member of a conch divers' association, said he was a part of the anti-Sterlite agitation that led to the closure of the plant in 2018, but he now wants the plant be reopened. He said the plant authorities, who had been distributing welfare assistance, have promised to provide propellers for the boats at a subsidised cost. Selvi, another protester, said that many of the previous workers of the plant still could not land a good job. The police permitted 10 protesters to meet collector K Elambahavath and represent their demand.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Thousands throng Thoothukudi Collectorate demanding reopening of Sterlite Copper plant
Thousands of people gathered in front of the Thoothukudi Collectorate arch gate on Monday, calling for the reopening of Sterlite Copper plant, which was shut down by the Tamil Nadu government in May 2018. The Sterlite Copper smelter in Thoothukudi has remained closed for the past seven years following police firing on 12 people during the anti-Sterlite protest in May 2018. Since then, residents of neighbouring villages and several organisations are continuously submitting petitions at the Cllectorate, urging the government to reopen the plant. In line with the efforts, thousands of people from nearby villages including Tsunami Nagar, Saminatham, Pandarampatti and Sankaraperi, and representatives from various organisations including women self-help Ggoups, lorry owners associations, auto rickshaw drivers and contract workers union began assembling outside the collectorate from at 8 a.m. to submit their petitions. The petitioners highlighted the proposal for Green Copper production at the smelter. They said they were encouraged by media reports about a scientific expert panel's recommendation to restart the plant in an environmentally sustainable manner. They urged the Tamil Nadu government to accept the recommendations and take necessary actions to reopen the plant. A petition submitted by Tsunami Nagar residents pointed out that around 150 individuals from their area were working in the plant. However, after its closure, they were forced to seek jobs elsewhere and struggled to support their families and provide proper education to their children. The residents urged the government to issue a special order, allowing the plant to reopen. 'To protect people's livelihood and provide employment, the Sterile plant must be reopened. We will vote only for the party that supports reopening the satellite,' were the slogans raised by the petitioners. Due to the large crowd, the Thoothukudi District police personnel were deployed. The public was stopped outside the Collectorate premises and only 10 people were allowed inside to meet the Collector and submit the petitions.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Fishermen stage demonstration at Enayam against hydrocarbon project
Fishermen associations on Saturday staged a demonstration in Enayam, opposing the proposed deep sea hydrocarbon project off the Kanniyakumari coast. In a show of solidarity with the fishermen, Killiyoor MLA S. Rajesh Kumar and Volavancode MLA Tharahai Cuthbert took part in the demonstration and addressed the gathering. The MLA said the three sites in Kanniyakumari district, which included Wadge bank, an area rich in fishery resources, had been selected for the proposed deep sea oil and natural gas extraction project. The exploration at Wadge bank, which spans around 10,000 off the Kanniyakumari coast, would not only endanger the livelihood of fishermen but also severely impact the marine environment. Although a DPR had not yet been prepared, bids had been invited for the project. Stressing the urgency of the issue, he called for continued protests until the project was completely revoked. Referring to the police firing at anti-Sterlite protesters, he said, 'If a similar situation arises here, I am ready to stand at the front and face the bullets.' Members of the Coastal Peace Development Committee and various other associations took part in the demonstrations, highlighting the serious consequences in implementing the deep sea hydrocarbon project in the region.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Take steps to reopen Sterlite Copper based on experts' recommendations'
The Sterlite Copper supporters said the district administration and the Tamil Nadu Government should take immediate steps for its re-opening after implementing the recommendations of the experts. In a petition submitted in the Collector's Office on Wednesday, the Sterlite Copper supporters said a team of experts had recently given their recommendations on the remedial measures to be taken for the 'green reopening and operation' of Sterlite Copper which remains closed since May 2018 after the anti-Sterlite protest became violent that led to the killing of 13 persons in police firing. These recommendations include environment conservation, sustainable and social development of the people of Thoothukudi and the development of industrial scenario in the port town. Since these recommendations are based on scientific facts, the State Government should take positive steps for implementing these suggestions to ensure the reopening of Sterlite Copper considering the livelihood of thousands of people associated with this factory. 'After the Sterlite Copper was closed down, thousands of people have been rendered jobless while the State and the Central Governments have suffered huge revenue loss. While importance is given for attracting foreign direct investments, due attention should be paid for conserving the domestic industries and reviving the closed down manufacturing units after taking due scientific remedial measures. Even as copper manufacturing is going on other States of India, Sterlite Copper has been allowed to erode and its workers have been forced to move to various parts of India in search of employment. Hence, the district administration, with the guidance of Tamil Nadu Government, should take positive steps for the early reopening of Sterlite Copper after allowing the factory management to translate the experts' recommendations into action,' the petition said. Thoothukudi People Livelihood Movement, Lorry Owners' Association, Sterlite Contract Workers' Union, Confederation of Thoothukudi District Micro, Small and Medium Industries, Confederation of Women Self-Help Groups of Thoothukudi District and various fishermen cooperative societies had signed in the petition submitted in the Collector's Office.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Even a person murdering someone would not inflict such violence, says CPI(M) leader
Even a person intending to murder someone would not inflict such violence, said Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Sunday. Speaking at a protest organised at Thirupuvanam here to demand justice for custodial death victim B. Ajith Kumar, he said that when hundreds of gold theft cases happened in Tamil Nadu every day, why unleash violence on a youth who was just suspected of stealing jewels. 'If this has raised doubts, then the IAS officer under question, who is said to have ordered the inquiry, should be brought under law.' Questioning why the DMK government did not take action against the police officials responsible for the killing of 13 anti-Sterlite protesters even after three years, he said Justice Aruna Jegadeesan Commission report was sitting idle without any action. Under the guise of a special team, all senior police officials were having goons under their control, he charged. In order to ensure fair justice to the victim's family, and to prevent distortion of evidence, it should be ensured that the arrested police personnel be kept in prison till the judgment day. 'As eyewitnesses and other evidence are crucial in this case, the State government should protect them from getting tampered with,' Mr. Shanmugam added.
