Thoothukudi: Locals pay tribute to persons killed in Anti-Sterlite Copper Plant protests

Residents paid tribute by showering flowers and lighting candles on the photographs of the deceased.

Pradeep Kabisten, a member of the Anti-Sterlite Thoothukudi District People's Federation, called on the government to construct a bell tower in the town centre to honour of those who lost their lives.

Speaking to ANI, Pradeep Kabisten said, "We request the government to deliver justice by punishing the responsible authorities and issuing a proper verdict in the case. We also demand the complete removal of the Sterlite Copper Plant and the construction of a bell tower in the centre of the town in memory of those who lost their lives."

In a shocking and tragic incident that occurred on May 22nd, 2018, 13 people were killed and more than 60 were injured in the alleged police firing, during the violent protest against the Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi.

On the day of the shooting incident, 13 people died in the firing, and two people were arrested by the police who later died in police custody.

Reportedly, the local residents were protesting against the construction of the Sterlite Copper Plant, claiming that it was severely polluting groundwater and was hazardous to the environment.

Taking note of the people's demand, the Tamil Nadu government on May 28 ordered the closure of the plant.

In February, this year, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal of Vedanta group for reopening of its Sterlite copper smelting plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra dismissed the appeal of Vedanta Limited citing "repeated breaches" and "serious violations" on its part.

Vedanta had approached the apex court against August 2020 Madras High Court order dismissing a batch of pleas by the company against the closure of its copper plant in Thoothukudi and other consequential orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). (ANI)