Collector Sandeep Nanduri asked the people not to have any apprehensions that the Sterlite plant would be re-opened, as the State government had made it clear that it would be going for an appeal in the Supreme Court. “There is no need for any agitation,” he said.
Preventive arrests by the police were a regular occurrence, he said, adding that security would be enhanced in the district based on need.
Representatives of Anti-Sterlite People’s Movement, traders’ organisations and fishermen’s associations met the Superintendent of Police on Saturday soon after the NGT verdict.
Fatima Babu, convenor of the movement, said a meeting with representatives of various unions would be held. “Only the order has come, but the plant will not be reopened. The struggle will continue until the plant is no longer here,” she said. S.J. Gayes, president of the country boat fishermen union, said the State government’s stance was also against the plant. The “peaceful protests” would continue against the plant, they said.
Sterlite welcomes order
Sterlite Copper CEO P. Ramnath, in a press release, welcomed the order. “We are happy that all those affected by the closure will get back their source of livelihood and the town of Thoothukudi will revert to normalcy. We will study the order in detail and shall take all steps required to restart the operations as per guidelines given by the Honourable Court,” he said.
“We thank the people of Thoothukudi for the faith reposed in us and for their support. We will continue to work for the welfare of the communities around the region and remain committed to growing sustainably along with the people of Thoothukudi,” he added.
Late on Saturday, Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha, Sub-Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon, Assistant Collector (Training) S. Anu and DSP R. Prakash held a meeting with Catholic priests.
