One-Woman Committee Begins Probe into Tuticorin Deaths
13 people were killed in police action against them during anti-sterlite protests on 22-23 May.
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The enquiry committee set up the Tamil Nadu government to probe the killings in Tuticorin during the anti-Sterlite protets took charge on 5 June under the leadership of retired High Court (HC) judge Aruna Jagadeesan.
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday, 30 May, submitted that 12 of the 13 persons who were killed in the protests died due to bullet injuries sustained from the police firing on 22 May. The 13th person reportedly died due to concussions.
- UN Condemns Disproportionate Use of Police Force
- The Madras High Court has sought a reply from the Tamil Nadu government by 6 June
Enquiry Committee to Probe Tuticorin Killings Comes into Force
The enquiry committee formed by Tamil Nadu government to probe the Tuticorin killings took charge on 4 June. Retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan has been appointed to head the one-woman enquiry committee. Addressing media persons, Jagadeesan said, “All information and statements will be recorded by 22 June. All media outlets should submit unedited videos to the head office in Chennai. If not, can submit in Tuticorin.”
She reassured that the investigation will be fair and unbiased. She said that a spot visit will be undertaken to the Sterlite plant, Collectorate and areas where violence took place.
NHRC Team Visits Tuticorin
A team of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) visited Tuticorin and met the District Collector and families affected due to the firing during the Sterlite protests.
Later, the team also visited the General Hospital to meet the injured.
UN Condemns Disproportionate Use of Police Force
Human rights experts from the United Nations have condemned the apparent disproportionate use of force by the police against protesters in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin, over health and environmental concerns arising out of the copper smelting plant, which led to the death of 13 people.
The Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights issued a detailed statement. Here is the full text:
‘We are extremely concerned by the apparent disproportionate and excessive use of force, including the use of live ammunition, against protesters marching to raise legitimate human rights and environmental concerns.’
Madras HC Directs TN Police to Not Disturb Family of Missing Accused
The Madras High Court on Friday, 1 June directed the Tamil Nadu police to not disturb the families of the accused, who have been missing, in the “name of enquiry”.
Madras HC Seeks Reply From TN Govt on Circumstances Leading Up to Firing
The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu government to explain the circumstances that led up to the firing in Thoothukudi, which killed thirteen people. ANI reports that the court has sought a reply from the state government by Wednesday, 6 June.
'If TN Sits on Protest for Everything, It'll Soon Become a Graveyard': Rajinikanth
Addressing the press in Chennai after arriving from Tuticorin, Rajinikanth responded to the critical comments made by several politicians regarding his statement on anti-social elements having instigated the violence in Tuticorin.
He said:
He further alleged that the police firing that resulted in the death of several protesters, occurred only after the anti-social elements attacked the police. He added:
Only 12 of 13 Died Due to Bullet Injuries: TN Govt to HC
The Tamil Nadu government told the Madras High Court that 12 out of 13 died due to bullet injuries in Tuticorin firing, while one of the injured died due to concussions.
Another postmortem is to be conducted to confirm the cause of death. The earlier postmortem was reportedly conducted only on 7 bodies as the remaining families were not cooperating.
The judge is yet to give orders on releasing bodies to the families. The judgment is expected by evening.
Rajinikanth Announces 2 Lakhs to Kin of Deceased
After having met the victims of the Sterlite protest violence, Rajinkanth announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the decased, and Rs 10000 to the families of those who were injured in the violence.
Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, he said:
Madras HC Directs TN Govt to Reply on Firing Incident
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a reply on the firing incident. The reply is to be filed by 1 June.
A petition was also filed by a lawyer demanding 50 lakhs compensation for those who were killed and 10 lakhs for those injured in the incident.
Decision to Shut Tuticorin Plant Will Put 30,000 Jobs on Line: Sterlite
The decision of the Tamil Nadu government to shut the copper smelter plant in Tuticorin would have serious economic ramifications by pushing India's annual import bill by an estimated $2 billion, said P. Ramnath, CEO, Sterlite Copper.
"The sudden decision of Tamil Nadu government to close down our copper smelter in Tuticorin will have far reaching ramifications for the economy of not only the town and its adjoining villages but also the country," Ramnath said in a statement to IANS.
Rajinikanth Reaches Tuticorin General Hospital
Rajinikanth arrives at the general hospital in Tuticorin to meet those injured during the anti-Sterlite protests.
Madras HC Hears PIL Against Expansion of Plant
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court heard a PIL against the expansion of the plant, ruling that the application for environmental clearance must be taken up only after a mandatory public hearing. The bench has also ordered that a decision on this must be taken by September 23.
The court is also expected to read the postmortem reports today and only based on that will it take a call on whether the bodies can be handed over to the families.
Rajinikanth to Visit Tuticorin Today
Addressing the media outside his Poes Garden residence on Tuesday, Rajinikanth said that he will be visiting the vitms of the anti-sterlite protests in Tuticorin.
Refraining to comment on CM Palaniswami’s stance on the issue, Rajinikanth said he did not wish to rake up past issues. Palaniswami had blamed the erstwhile DMK government for the situation in Tuticorin.
NHRC Issues Notice for Probe Into Deaths
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Director General of Investigation to constitute a four-member team to probe the deaths in police firing during the anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin.
Puducherry CM Hails Decision on Shutdown of Sterlite Plant in Tuticorin
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Tuesday, 29 May, hailed the announcement of Tamil Nadu government 'permanently' closing Vedanta group's copper smelter plant in Tuticorin.
Talking to reporters in Puducherry, he said the announcement was a 'good decision', however, it was a matter of grief that 13 people had died during the protests against the plant. He appealed for peace to return to Tuticorin.
(Source: PTI)
A Sitting Judge Needs to Be on Panel to Probe Incident: Dhinakaran
Calling the action of a retired judge sitting on the panel probing the incident as “whitewash”, TTV Dhinakaran, in an interview to The Quint said that a siting judge was needed in his place, instead.
“CBI inquiry should be conducted to find out the reason for this murder. Yes we should call it murder by guns,” he said.
CM Shouldn't Have Let a Jallianwalah Bagh Massacre Happen: Dhinakaran
Speaking exclusively to The Quint, TTV Dhinakaran said that if the chief minister is blaming “anti-social” elements for creating a riot in Tuticorin, then how did he not give the order for the Intelligence to take charge of the matter.
DMK Walked Out Today Because They Let Sterlite Operate
Chief Minister Palaniswamy reiterated his statement, saying that while Jayalalithaa had ordered for the shutdown of Sterlite, it was the DMK who had allowed it to continue.
Murder Cases Should be Filed Against SP, Collector, Others: TTV Dhinakaran
TTV Dhinakaran stated that cases amounting to murder should be filed against the SP and Collector, Nellai DIG, Madurai IG and the DGP of Tamil Nadu, who he says are accountable for the death of the 13 people who had been killed in the protests.
CM Blames DMK Leader Geetha Jeevan For Instigating Violence
Chief Minister Palaniswami blamed DML leader Geetha Javan for “instigating violence”, for having launched the protests against the Sterlite plant in the first place.
CM Issues Release Outlining TN's Struggle with Sterlite
In a release outlining the state’s historic struggle with the Sterlite plant, Chief Minister Palaniswami said that in 2013, Jayalalithaa had cut off the power supply and demanded that the Sterlite plant be shut down, but the Green Tribunal had allowed for it to be run again.
CM Palaniswami maintained that the police action was "unavoidable" and asserted that action would be taken if anyone had wrongly handled the situation, reported PTI.
He added that on 22 May, when people had gathered at the Collectorate, a few “anti-social elements” had indulged in arson and the police had little choice but to resort to firing, in an attempt to bring the situation under control.
Opposition MLAs Walk Out of Assembly
Opposition parties, all clad in black, walk out of the Assembly, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and as a mark of protest against the police firing in Tuticorin during the anti-Sterlite protests.
DMK leader MK Stalin earlier said, “This move to shut down Sterlite is just an eyewash. This could have been done long ago. TN Government should hold all those accountable who ordered for the police firing. I call for the resignation of the CM Edappadi Palaniswamy.”
He added that the government had taken a bribe from Vedanta.
DMK's Stalin Appeals for an Adjournment Motion in Support of Anti-Sterlite Protests
DMK leader MK Stalin appeals for an adjournment motion to show support for the protests against Sterlite’s copper unit.
DMK Leaders Wear Black to Assemby
DMK leader MK Stalin and other DMK MLAs arrive in Tamil Nadu Assembly wearing black clothes as a mark of protest against the police firing on anti-Sterlite protestors in Tuticorin.
TN Governor Reaches Tuticorin to Meet Victims
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has reached Tuticorin to meet Sterlite victims.
Land Allotted for Phase 2 of Sterlite Plant Cancelled
The allotment of land for the proposed expansion of Vedanta group's copper plant in Tuticorin was today cancelled "in larger public interest" by the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT), an official release said.
"As the allotment of land for the proposed expansion has been made by SIPCOT, in larger public interest, the land allotment made by SIPCOT for proposed expansion of copper smelter plant (Phase-2) by Vedanta Ltd is hereby cancelled," SIPCOT said in its communication to the Vedanta group.
"The land price collected for the said land allotment will be refunded as per the norms of SIPCOT," it said.
An official release here said, "The cancellation of allotment of 342.22 acres of land has been made in larger public interest and this has been communicated to the company." Chief Minister K Palaniswami had yesterday said the state government had issued the directive to seal and 'permanently' close the copper unit, in deference to the 'sentiments' of the people.
"In deference to the opinion and sentiments of the general public, it was decided to close down the Sterlite plant and a Government Order has been issued today," he had said.
Vedanta Ltd termed the closure "unfortunate" and said it would decide the future course of action after studying the development.
TN Orders Permanent Closure of Sterlite Plant, Unit Shut
The Tamil Nadu government on 29 May ordered the state Pollution Control Board to seal and "permanently" close the Vedanta group's copper plant in Tuticorin following last week's violent protests over pollution concerns during which 13 people were killed in police firing.
Soon after the issuance of the Government Order (GO), top Tuticorin district officials sealed the copper smelter unit premises and pasted the order at the main gate.
Palaniswami told reporters in Chennai the "plant has been permanently closed".
The government's decision came a day ahead of the start of the state Assembly session where it is likely to face the wrath of the Opposition over the Tuticorin incident.
"Now the plant is permanently closed. The GO has been implemented," Tuticorin District Collector Sandeep Nanduri said.
Reacting to the closure, Vedanta Ltd termed it "unfortunate" and said it would decide the future course of action after studying the development.
"Closure of Sterlite Copper plant is an unfortunate development, especially since we have operated the plant for over 22 years in the most transparent and sustainable way, contributing to Tuticorin and the state's socio-economic development. We will study the development and decide on the future course of action," Vedanta Ltd said in a statement.
The Government Order (GO) cited the Constitution's directive principles of state policy (Article 48-A) enjoining protection of environment and provisions of the Water Act, 1974, to order the permanent closure of the copper factory "in the larger public interest".
It referred to the PCB order of 9 April refusing to renew its consent to allow Vedanta's copper smelter plant at Tuticorin to operate.
The order recalled how on 23 May the TNPCB had issued directions for closure of the unit and disconnection of power supply to it. The power supply was disconnected a day later.
Deputy CM Meets Families of Victims
On Monday, 28 May, Deputy CM Panneerselvam met those injured in last week's police-public clashes and firing at a government hospital in Tuticorin and asserted that the government will take "resolute" steps for the permanent closure of the copper plant.
"Today, the main demand of the people is that the copper plant should be permanently closed. In keeping with their demand, it is shut now. I would like to make it clear that the Sterlite plant will be permanently shut," he said.
Quoting Jayalalithaa's popular slogan of "Makkalal Naan, Makkalukagavey Naan (I am by the people and I am for the people)," Palaniswami said his was "Amma's government" that followed in her footsteps and was committed to the welfare of the people.
Reacting to the plants's closure, DMK working president M K Stalin said "It is an eyewash, a drama." Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan described the closure as a victory brought about by the might of the people.
Top actor Rajinikanth, who is set to enter politics, said the closure was a "victory," adding it was dedicated to the people who lost their lives in the police firing.
All You Need to Know About Anti-Sterlite Protest
The locals were protesting for the closure of the factory for 99 days. Protesters turned violent on 22 May, the 100th day of their stir, and 13 people were killed in police action against them.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami said people of Tuticorin were seeking permanent closure of the plant since it did not meet the environment-related conditions of the National Green Tribunal and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
Recalling the efforts initiated by late J Jayalithaa in 2013 for the closure of Sterlite plant following a gas leak incident that year, he said on 29 March, 2013, the unit's closure was ordered. Subsequently, power supply to it was discontinued and the unit was shut.
However, the plant approached the National Green Tribunal which allowed operations on 8 August, 2013, he said.
The government had appealed against this direction in the Supreme Court and its petition is pending there, he said.
On 9 April, the TNPCB had rejected a plea of the plant management for renewal of consent as pollution control norms were not being followed, and since 24 May the unit was not getting power and water supply, he said.
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