TN announces Rs1m to Thoothukudi dead

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami on Monday announced a relief of Rs1 million to each family from which Thoothukudi police firing victims hail. He also asserted that the Sterlite Copper plant against which an agitation was going on will not be reopened at any rate.

“It has been closed permanently and sealed,” he told the state assembly.

On day 100 of the agitation against deadly pollution, police had opened ire at an unarmed march, killing 13 people. On Monday, a woman injured in the violence was announced as the 14th victim as she died in hospital.

Palaniswami said in a statement that victim Valliyammal had suffered burns as she was travelling in a state bus through Thoothukudi and a crowd of ‘anti-social elements’ had set the bus on ire near Karunkulam village. The chief minister told the state assembly that she died on May 31.

He emphasised that the government stood irm in its decision to shutter Sterlite. “The government’s order to close the plant was passed after consulting senior ministers and legal experts. The plant will remain permanently closed. We’ve also cancelled all permissions issued to the Sterlite Copper Smelter like - water, electricity and boiler licence. Even the land alotted for the plant’s expansion has been cancelled,” he said.

“We have taken all necessary measures to halt the plant’s operation and stop it from resuming its functioning.” The remarks came as Leader of Opposition and DMK working president MK Stalin raised a query. He said: “Industries are set up for the development of the people. If the growth of the industry kills the people, it should immediately be stopped. The Sterlite plant was asked to move out of Goa and Maharashtra before it set up base in Tamil Nadu.” “What has our government done now to completely stop Sterlite’s operation?” Stalin asked.

Palaniswami said the plant can be reopened only if the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) favours it and the government decides to let the plant restart.

“As of today, the TNPCB has not issued any such direction, so the Tamil Nadu government’s order to shut the plant, stands,” he said.

Palaniswami insisted that the government has proof of “anti-social elements” penetrating the peaceful protests and turning it violent.