What are the anti-Sterlite protests in Tamil Nadu all about

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What are the anti-Sterlite protests in Tamil Nadu all about

Thoothukudi - Here's a low-down on the events that have unfolded in Thoothukudi following Sterlite's plans to expand the capacity of its copper smelter.

By Web Report

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Published: Fri 25 May 2018, 5:11 PM

Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi remained tense for the third day on Thursday as one more person injured in police firing in protests against the Sterlite factory died, taking the toll to 13.

The protester succumbed to his injuries in a district hospital, as the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board issued an order to disconnect power supply to Sterlite and to close the plant with immediate effect.

Normal life was affected in Thoothukudi, with shops closed and people remaining indoors even as the protest against police action spread across the state on Thursday, with demonstrations in districts like Erode, Ramanathapuram and Thiruvarur.




In Thoothukudi, police have stepped up patrolling to stop people from forming groups in public places while internet connection has been shut in the district and neighbouring areas.

On Tuesday, police firing killed 11 people, most of them from nearby villages who were demanding the closure of the Sterlite copper smelter plant they said was destroying the farm lands and leading to severe health issues in the area.

Another person was killed on Wednesday in fresh firing while hundreds of injured are admitted in hospitals.

Meanwhile, construction work for a proposed second facility near to the existing unit was stopped after an order by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday.

The company said it will decide on further action after going through the order.

Here's what we know about the issue so far:

The plant

Sterlite is facing intense protests over its decision to double the capacity of the copper smelter from 400,000 tonnes to 800,000 tonnes per year. The smelter has been shut since March 27 after it was closed for 15 days for a scheduled maintenance. Sterlite is owned by London-based Vedanta.

Why the protests

Protesters allege the plant does not comply with environmental laws, and dumps copper slag in the river. They claim the plant is polluting ground water in the area.

Sterlite's response

Sterlite Copper CEO P Ramnath says the plant has been operating within all the specified parameters for the last several years. "It is currently shut down as it is under regular maintenance. So, all the more, there was no reason for them to start this and there was no immediate trigger also since the plant was shut down for maintenance. Therefore clearly, they were incited into this by nefarious elements," Ramnath said in an interview to Business Today.

What action has been taken

During the closure, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board rejected the licence of Vedanta -- the parent company of Sterlite -- to operate the smelter in April, saying the company had not complied with local environmental laws. The step has been contested by Sterlite. The board has accused Sterlite of not furnishing reports of groundwater analysis of borewells near the plant.

How will it impact the industry

The shutdown of the plant since April will cost dearly as it accounts for nearly 35 per cent of primary copper consumed within the country. Prices will rise and shortfall will have to be met with imports. Local demand for copper in India has been growing 7-8 per cent per year, according to a report by consultancy firm ICRA Ltd.

Not the first time

In March 2013, many people living near the plant had complained of breathing difficulty, nausea and throat infection. This was reportedly due to a gas leak from the plant. The plant was ordered to shut down following allegations of violating pollution control norms.


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