Madras HC Orders TN Govt to Explain Tuticorin Firing

On 28 May, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the closure of the Vedanta-owned Sterlite plant in Tuticorin, six days after 13 people were killed in police firing during protests.

Violence broke out on 22 May, the 100th day that the protesters had gathered in Tuticorin to demand that the plant be closed for causing severe environmental damage and endangering health of residents.

An FIR revealed that a special deputy tehsildar ordered the police to open fire on peaceful protesters. On his part, special deputy tehsildar Shekhar said he ordered the firing to save lives and properties at the collector’s office.

• The DMK has called the TN government’s order to shut down the Sterlite plant an “eyewash”
• Normalcy returned to Tuticorin on 28 May after authorities lifted prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC
• Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswamy had announced ex-gratia compensations for the families of the victims
  

The CPI(M) on Sunday, 3 June, demanded that the probe into the police firing which killed 13 people during protests last month to demand closure of the Sterlite plant over pollution concerns, "be handed over to the CBI, monitored by the Madras High Court".

The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench on Friday, 1 June, ordered the Tamil Nadu government to state the reasons by 6 June, for the 22 May police firing in Tuticorin which left 13 persons dead.

The court’s order came as it heard a petition demanding registration of murder cases against senior police and other government officials for the firing and also setting up a Special Investigative Team (SIT). The government was asked to submit its report by 6 June.

(With inputs from IANS)

In the aftermath of the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working President M K Stalin on Saturday said the Opposition has decided not to boycott the ongoing Assembly session.

(Source: ANI)

DMK’s working president MK Stalin reacted to the Tamil Nadu government’s order to shut down the Sterlite plant in Tuticorin, calling it an “eyewash” and indicating that it might have an “hidden agenda”.

On 31 May, the Tamil Nadu government filed a caveat before the Supreme Court in connection with the closure of the Sterlite plant.

Along with Kamal Haasan, star actor Rajinikanth also responded to the Tamil Nadu government’s order to shut down the Sterlite plant in Tuticorin, saying, “This victory should be dedicated to the people who lost their lives during the protests.”

In an audio message posted on Twitter, Rajinikanth said, “I pray to God that protests of such a nature should not happen again in Tamil Nadu.”

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan hailed the order of the Tamil Nadu government for permanent closure of the Sterlite copper unit in Tuticorin as “a victory for the might of the people”.

In a series of tweets, Haasan said that the people of Tuticorin have changed the “future of Tamil Nadu politics”, adding that his party Makkal Needhi Maiam will partcipate in this process of change.

The Tamil Nadu government issued a Government Order on Monday, 28 May, directing the state Pollution Control Board to seal the Vedanta group's copper plant and close it down "permanently”.

The Government Order (GO) said it endorsed the recent closure direction of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), and also asked the TNPCB to "seal the unit and close the plant permanently".

The document 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.

CM Palaniswami said the government has issued the GO in deference to the sentiments of the people.

(Source: PTI)

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to give an urgent hearing to the plea filed over alleged police atrocities during protests against the Sterlite plant. The court said that it would be hearing the plea after the vacation, reported ANI.

FIR revealed that special deputy tehsildar ordered the police firing. In his complaint, special deputy tehsildar Shekhar said he ordered the firing to save lives and properties at the collector’s office.

The FIR says more than 10,000 people were marching towards the collector’s office with deadly weapons and police tried to disperse them by using tear gas and lathi-charge. When all this failed, they resorted to firing.

A complaint has been filed against 20 organisations under 15 sections of the IPC as well as other acts.

AIADMK sacked its IT wing member Hari Prabhakaran from all party posts following his tweet comparing journalists to dogs.

Hours later, he deleted the tweet and apologised.

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Panneerselvam asserted on Monday, 28 May, that the government will take resolute steps for the permanent closure of Vedanta group's copper plant in Tuticorin. Visiting the Tuticorin General Hospital, he said:

The Deputy Chief Minister said even if there were legal challenges in the closure of the plant, it will be faced, and the government will take resolute steps to permanently close down the Vedanta group's copper unit in Tuticorin.

The Tamil Nadu Government doubled the compensation to families of the 13 people killed in police firing last week during anti-Sterlite plant protests, from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The compensation for those seriously injured has also been increased to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh and for those with minor injuries, to Rs 1.50 lakh from Rs one lakh.

An official release quoted Chief Minister K Palaniswami as saying he issued the orders to increase the ex-gratia (from the earlier amounts announced on 22 May) after considering requests to the government from various sections. Those who were injured in the firing have been assured Rs 5 lakh compensation instead of the previously announced Rs 3 lakh.

Internet services will be restored in Tuticorin from tonight, Tamil Nadu DGP TK Rajendran said to ANI.

Fishermen from Tuticorin have demanded immediate closure of Sterlite industries. They alleged that chemical waste from the industry has affected the river and ponds in the area.

Section 144 which was imposed in Tuticorin after the Sterlite protests, has now been lifted, reported ANI.

Oxfam India, an NGO that works for the empowerment of the underprivileged, has put out a statement saying that they are “appalled by the use of brutal force against peaceful protesters in Tuticorin”. The body also said the government should act in the interest of people and “not to protect the interest of private companies”.

“This is a clear case where the company did not meaningfully consult the community on concerns raised for over a long period despite having a policy on stakeholder engagement and human rights,” said Oxfam India CEO Amitabh Behar.

Writers, journalists and members of Tamil Nadu film fraternity staged protests in Chennai's Chepauk against the death of 13 people in police firing during Anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin, reported ANI.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan wrote to the Tamil Nadu government raising number of questions about the firings in Tuticorin by the police, which resulted in at least 13 civilians losing their lives.

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said he will look into the demands of the protesters seeking the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite copper unit and asserted that "all this happened" during the previous government's tenure.

Protesters in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna held a demonstration against the police firing on protesters who participated in the anti-Sterlite protests in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu that killed at least 13 people, The Hindu reported.

DMK Working President MK Stalin on 25 May staged a protest demonstration, leading a road blockade near Kanchipuram against the Tuticorin violence which saw death of 13 persons in police firing.

According to ANI, Tamil Nadu government has sent a detailed report on the Tuticorin killings and the current law and order situation to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Delhi High Court has directed the National Human Rights Commission to take representation of the petitioner who sought commission to directly probe 13 deaths in police firing during protests against Sterlite industries in Tuticorin.

NHRC has sought reports from Tamil Nadu DGP and chief secretary.

Madras High Court has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu government over a petition filed against Tuticorin firing, reported News18.

The high court has also directed the government to restore internet services in the area, reported News18.

Supreme Court has asked the petitioner GS Mani, who had filed a petition seeking a CBI investigation against the Collector, SP and other police officials in Tuticorin, to mention the matter again on Monday, 28 May.

As the opposition leaders protest in Chennai against the government’s inaction in Tuticorin, DMK’s Kanimozhi and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s Thirumavalavan have been detained.

Speaking to the reporters, Kanimozhi has slammed the EPS government for its inaction and ignoring the plight of the people in Tuticorin.

TTV Dhinakaran told The Quint that the AIADMK government was ignoring the people.

“This AIADMK government has been bribed by the Vedanta group and that's why, to save the company, they fired at innocent people. Tell the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to stop watching this on TV and to come to Tuticorin and address the people,” he alleged.

Responding to DMK and other opposition parties’ call for a statewide bandh, protestors have hit the streets in Chennai demanding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s resignation over his lack of administration in handling the Tuticorin violence, reported The News Minute.

According to a report in the Business Standard, Vedanta got environmental clearances from the union ministry in December 2014.

The report claims that the ministry gave its own interpretation of the green regulations which helped the Tuticorin plant to be constructed without taking the people into confidence.

This is when the UPA government, in May 2014, had specified that plants like Vedanta’s Tuticorin plant were required to go through public consultation.

DMK and other opposition parties have called for a statewide bandh in Tamil Nadu condemning the lack of government action in Tuticorin, reported The News Minute.

The press release from DMK reads, “We decided to observe a one-day bandh on 25 May to condemn the shooting, to close down the Sterlite plant and to strongly criticise the govt for unleashing State-sponsored terrorism.”

According to Deccan Herald, the Section 144 that has been imposed in the city has been extended to 27 May.

The district collector in a statement said that by cutting off electricity supply to the plant, the government had showcased its interest in shutting down the plant.

The IG of South Range, Shailesh Kumar, meanwhile said:

Almost two days after 13 people were killed over protests against Sterlite in Tuticorin, the Vedanta group’s chairman Anil Agarwal came out to issue a statement, claiming that he was ‘saddened by the unfortunate turn of events’.

A plea was moved in the Delhi High Court seeking direct intervention of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) into the killings in Tuticorin.

The court is likely to hear the petition filed by A Rajarajan tomorrow.

Protesters gathered outside the Vedanta office on Bengaluru’s MG Road to condemn the killings.

In a massive uprising, several groups in Chennai have taken to the streets to condemn the Sterlite protests and killings in Tuticorin.

According to Dinakaran, police personnel have been deployed across the city to regulate the rallies and avoid any untoward incidents.

Addressing a press conference over the Sterlite protests, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said it was the ‘polluted mindset’ of the government that led to the killing of the people.

Attacking both the central and the state governments for inaction, Singhvi said:

Questioning the prime minister's silence, he said that both "government and governance had retired hurt".

Singhvi also questioned the government's lack of action, stating that despite clear videos and proof of targeted killings there have been no suspensions.

Tuticorin Collector Sandeep Nanduri said that over 130 persons had been arrested in connection with the violence in the district.

Speaking to reporters, he said:

Supreme Court lawyer GS Mani has filed a writ petition in the apex court, seeking a CBI investigation against the Collector, SP and other police officials in Tuticorin.

According to Livelaw, the plea filed by Mani terms the killings “a pre-planned murdered committed by the police personnel...”

Sidelined leader TTV Dhinakaran told reporters at Tuticorin, “Merely transferring Collector and SP is not enough. The chief minister should step down. This incident took place because it got a green signal from the top (CM).”

A video purportedly showing a group of policemen dragging a man out of his home in Tuticorin surfaced.

Residents of Tuticorin have also alleged that the police have been going from door to door and threatening and assaulting them.

A new collector of Tuticorin has taken oath and is at the hospital, to meet the patients. Sidelined leader TTV Dhinakaran also arrived at the hospital.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to condole the deaths in Tuticorin and said, “The MHA has taken cognisance of the situation and sought a report on the incident and the prevailing situation from the state government.”

Defending the police firing at the protests that killed at least 12 people, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami said, “If someone is attacked, the natural course would be to defend and safeguard themselves. This is what has been done by the police in response.”

Accusing the opposition of instigating the protestors, he said, “The entire episode which happened was primarily because of certain political parties, NGOs and anti-social elements, who took protestors to a wrong path.”

Tuticorin district collector told ANI that his first priority is to restore normalcy in the troubled areas.

DMK working President MK Stalin, who was holding a protest outside Tamil Nadu secretariat has been detained by the police. Several others have also been detained, reported ANI.

TV channels aired a video from Tuesday in which at least two police officials were seen getting on top of a van and taking aim at protesters to shoot them down. The incident has put the Tamil Nadu Police under the scanner and again raised the question of where Indian officials are failing at crowd control measures.

Retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and former Director General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, Vikram Singh, weighs in on the Thoothukudi violence and points out how the police failed miserably at controlling the mob. Click the below-mentioned story to know more.

Enforcement of Section 144 in Tuticorin has thrown the normal life out of gear. Shops have remained shut for the third straight day, and the locals have been unable to buy essentials.

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on Wednesday, 23 May, directed the closure and disconnection of power supply to M/s. Vedanta Limited – Copper Smelter. The board directed the closure of the Vedanta Copper Smelter after non-compliance of its procedure. The electricity board was also asked to cut the power supply. Vedanta had, two days ago, issued an official response, saying that the plant was already defunct. Vedanta had also demanded security for its employees.

On Wednesday, 23 May, DMK working president MK Stalin visited a government hospital to meet the people who had been injured in the police firing in the police firing incident.

The Collector of Tuticorin as well as the Superintendent of Police for Tuticorin have been transferred, ANI reported. Thiru P Mahendran, Superintendent of Police, Tuticorin and N Venkatesh, Collector, Tuticorin were transferred late on 23 May.

This came shortly after the suspension of internet services in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.

In an interview with CNN News-18, Sterlite Copper’s CEO P Ramnath chastised the residents of Tuticorin and activists for protesting. He denied any violation of environmental norms, stating that there were no protests for five years.

Citizens' groups and students' organisations staged a protest outside the Tamil Nadu Bhawan in New Delhi, condemning the Tamil Nadu government for the killing of the anti-Sterlite plant agitators in Tuticorin in police firing.

Over 60 protesters raised slogans and demanded parleys with the Principal Resident Commissioner of Tamil Nadu, Jasbir Singh Bajaj.

The security, however, put up barricades and prevented them from entering the campus.

Shutting down the Sterlite plant in Tuticorin, a judicial inquiry into the police firing, action against police officers, an independent inquiry into the company's financing by the comptroller and auditor-general (CAG) were some of the demands of the protesters.

Representatives of the All India Students' Federation, Muslim Yuva Morcha, National Alliance of People's Movements, All India Students' Association, JNU Students' Union and Students Islamic Organisation of India took part in the protest.

A green body condemned the killing of innocent anti-Sterlite plant agitators in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin and said the present situation reflects "complete failure" of environmental governance in the country.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said people's interests should be looked into over the company's business interests as it recommended permanent closure of the plant along with a plan to decontaminate the site and the surrounding environment.

At the same time, rights group Amnesty International India said the excessive use of force by the Tamil Nadu police is a "damning indictment" of the state government's determination to crush the protests.

Internet services were suspended in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, and Kanyakumari following violence and clashes between police and protesters, on 23 May.

Services are likely to remain suspended till 27 May, as per the request letter accessed by The Quint. Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan tweeted about the suspension of internet services, stating that, “No Government is strong enough to take on the might of my people.”

Working president of the DMK, MK Stalin, questioned the Tamil Nadu government about the police’s use of lethal force on protesters, and asked why non-lethal methods were not used by the police. The statement came shortly after the party leader met the victims of the violence, who were hospitalised.

Stalin also demanded that E Palaniswami resign from his post as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Simultaneously, TTV Dhinakaran, MLA for RK Nagar, chided the Government, calling the violence a culmination of the government’s indifference to the previous 100 days of protest.

Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai reported that the police had registered a case against actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan for violating Section 144 of the IPC, after he visited the government hospital in Tuticorin where those hurt in the protests are admitted.

Actor Rajinikanth posted a video on Twitter, condemning the police firing on protesters on Tuesaday, and expressing condolences to the families of victims.

Meanwhile, DMDK Chief and actor-turned-politican Vijayakanth wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for the Sterlite plant to be closed permanently, according to a report from CNN News-18.

Hundreds of police officials, dressed in full riot gear, are stationed outside the hospital where the post-mortem of those who were killed yesterday is being conducted. A bus was set ablaze by a group of protesters outside the hospital in Tuticorin.

The News Minute reports that the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Tamil Nadu chief secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) over the incident of firing in which 11 people were killed in Tuticorin.

It sought a report from the authorities in two weeks.

Retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan will lead the inquiry committee set up by the Tamil Nadu government to probe the law and order situation and circumstances under which 11 people died in a police firing in Tuticorin.

After meeting the victims of police firing, Kamal Haasan said:

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday, 23 May, stayed the construction of Sterlite’s new copper smelter, a day after protests turned violent.

Shares of Vedanta Ltd fell to their lowest since July 5, 2017, after at least nine people were killed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu when police fired at violent protesters calling for the closure of a copper smelter run by parent Vedanta Resources Plc, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Shares were down 3.2 percent as of 10.30 am, after falling as much as 5.50 percent earlier in the session.

The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on the police firing in which 11 protesters were killed on Tuesday.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(MDMK) Chief Vaiko on Wednesday met those injured during protests against Sterlite industries in Tamil Nadu.

Actor Kamal Haasan is on his way to Tuticorin to pay tribute to 11 victims who fell prey to police firing yesterday. “I am coming to Tuticorin to be with you during the time of sorrow,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Madras High Court, which had reserved its order last week on a PIL seeking quashing of the environmental clearance granted to Vedanta Limited's copper smelter unit in Thoothukudi district, will deliver an interim order today.

Justices M Sundar and Anita Sumant of the Madurai bench of the high court had reserved the order on a plea by Fathima Babu, an environmentalist, seeking to stay the environmental clearance to Vedanta's copper smelter unit (formerly Sterlite Industries Limited) by the central government in 2009, subsequently renewed in 2015 and 2016.

She also wanted exemplary costs to be imposed on the company for damaging the environment.

Sterlite Copper has released an official statement expressing sorrow and regret over the deaths that took place during the anti-Sterlite protest in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin on Tuesday.

In a late night statement, Sterlite Cooper said it has appealed to the government and the authorities to ensure safety of its employees and the surrounding communities, ANI reported.

It added that the plant is currently non-operational as the company was awaiting approval for it.

"It's with great sorrow and regret that we witnessed today's incidents around the protest today at Tuticorin. The company has appealed to government and authorities to ensure safety of our employees, facilities and surrounding communities. Sterlite Copper plant is non-operational as we await approval for the consent to operate," the statement read.

Godson Wisely Dass S, a Thoothukudi-based journalist, wrote on Twitter that May 22, the day 11 protesters were killed in a police firing, it was an "unforgettable" day. Dass ran for 200 metres to escape please from, he wrote.

CPI (M) on Tuesday night condemned the killings of 11 people who were killed in a police firing at the Sterlite protest.

Thoothukudi DGP TK Rajendran, in a press release, claimed that police used tear gas, lathi charge as protesters indulged in uncontrollable violence.  He added that firing was used as a last resort, and led to a “few deaths.”

“The plant is currently non-operational as we await approval of the consent to operate,” News18 reported quoting Sterlite company’s statement.

Expressing “sorrow and regret” over the protests that claimed eleven lives, the company appealed to the government and the authorities to ensure their employees’ safety, News18 tweeted.

A video has gone viral allegedly showing the police using assault rifles on protesters. The News18 Tamil Nadu's video raises doubts over the state government’s claims of only using tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.

Around 65 people were seriously wounded during the protests.

At least eleven people have been killed in the anti-sterlite protests that hit Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin, according to an official statement released by the governor condoling the deaths.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi called the killings a brutal example of “state-sponsored terrorism.”

DMK working president MK Stalin, in a Facebook post, hit out at the ruling AIADMK government over the tense situation, blaming the government for turning a blind eye to the people's movement in Thoothukudi. Stalin also demanded closure of the plant at the earliest.

Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam also condemned the firing by the police in Thoothukudi.

Condemning the police firing, actor Rajinikanth said the Tamil Nadu government’s inaction is responsible for the deaths in Tuticorin.

“The government should take responsibility for the loss of life and violence,” he said in a tweet.

Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for those killed during protests and Rs 3 lakh each for the injured and government jobs for the family members of the deceased. An inquiry commission will also be set up for investigation into the incident, he said.

As tension simmered in Thoothukudi, the Tamil Nadu CM appealed to the public to maintain peace.

In the statement, the chief minister assured that the Tamil Nadu government will take all necessary legal steps on sterlite issue.

“I request people to maintain peace and have faith in the government,” he said.

District Collector N Venkatesh had issued a prohibitory order under Section 144 in view of the protest, while granting permission for the protest only at the SAV ground near Thoothukudi old bus stand.

In spite of Section 144 being imposed in the area, the protesters rallied to the district Collectorate opposing the Sterlite Copper unit. As part of the protest, they had planned to gherao the Collector’s office as well as the Sterlite plant.

However, angered over not being allowed to take out a rally, the slogan-shouting protesters forcibly tried to push the security personnel away.

Over 4,000 police personnel were deployed to prevent the crowding, but it proved to be futile as protesters at various areas breached the barricades and marched towards the Collectorate.

(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go to TheQuint.com/WhatsApp and hit the Subscribe button.)