At least 10 people have been confirmed dead after the police opened fired on protestors in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
Violence erupted at demonstration held to mark the 100th day of protests demanding the closure of Sterlite Copper Industries. Here is all you need to know about the protests, Sterlite and its factory in Tuticorin.
What is Sterlite Copper?
Sterlite Copper Industries Ltd is a subsidiary of Vedanta group and is a major copper smelter. It produces around 400,000 tonnes per annum in its Tuticorin plant.
Why are people protesting?
An effluent of copper smelting is sulphur dioxide which is considered toxic. It can cause respiratory issues, skin and eye irritations and in some cases even death. The villagers around the copper smelting unit claim that they have been suffering health issues as a result of the mishandling of toxic wastes by Sterlite. There have been several court rulings and government findings on the issue both for and against the company.
The recent protests began after the company announced a planned brownfield expansion.
What the company claims?
The company says that it has received necessary regulatory clearances from the government for the expansion of the copper plant. It also claims that the well-being of communities around it is the primary commitment of the company.
Past troubles
In 1966, 1999, 2001 and 2013 the Sterlite plant was ordered to shut down over allegations of releasing sulphur dioxide in the environment more than the prescribed limit.
In 2013 a Supreme Court order allowed the plant to continue operations after paying a compensation of Rs 100 crore. The compensation must 'act as a deterrent,' said the bench led by justice A K Patnaik.
Public support
The protests had received widespread public and political support. Actor and Makkal Neethi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan had expressed solidarity with the protest.
“The expansion (of Sterlite Copper) should not at all be allowed...if possible it will be good to close down this unit,” he had told reporters in Tuticorin.
Actor Rajinikanth took a dig at the ruling AIADMK over the issue of the expansion of the copper plant, saying the government was not responding to the protests by locals.
In London, Tamilians held protest outside the house of Vedanta group founder Anil Agarwal.
DMK leader M K Stalin on Wednesday called for the resignation of Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami over the police firing on protesters.