Internet services barred, Tuticorin SP collector transferred; Centre seeks report from Tamil Nadu on Sterlite protest
Tuticorin, May 24: Intensifying the violence in Thoothukuddi district over the Anti-Sterlite industries, the death toll in protests against Sterlite factory in Thuthukkudi has risen to 13 people. District collector and superintendent of police of the district have been transferred.
Knowing the intensity and depth of the violence curtailing in the state, internet-based services in Thuthukudi and neighboring districts of Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli have been canceled since last evening. Normal life in Thoothukudi was virtually crippled on Wednesday, with most people staying indoors as the district administration announced that prohibitory orders banning the assembly of five or more people that were imposed on Monday evening would remain in force till May 25.
District Collector N Venkatesh said the prohibitory orders were extended in Vembar, Kulathur, Arumugamangalam, Vedanatham, Ottapidaram and Eppodum Vendran in Thoothukudi district. Shops and commercial establishments remained shut, educational institutions were also closed. Public transport has been suspended from Thoothukudi to other parts of Tamil Nadu. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed all over the town in large numbers.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has ordered the closure of Sterlite Copper Smelter plant in Thoothukudi with immediate effect and disconnected electricity supply to the unit early on Thursday morning. Following this, the Joint Chief Environmental Engineer, Tirunelveli, recommended disconnection of electricity supply to the plant.
The TNPCB ordered the closure and disconnection of electricity supply under provisions of Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Section 31A of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1971.
The Board took cognizance of the application made by Vedanta Ltd. seeking renewal of the Consent To Operate (CTO) and the rejection of the application in April by the Board for non-compliance of certain conditions under the previous CTO.
12 protesters died in police firing in the last two days in Thoothukudi. On Wednesday evening, the Tamil Nadu government invoked a “public emergency” and asked internet service providers to cut off internet services for 5 days in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts, to prevent the spread of provocative messages on social media by anti-social elements.