Tamil Nadu govt orders closure of Sterlite Plant in Thoothukudi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday announced that a government order has been issued to permanently shut down Sterlite Plant at Thoothukudi.

A day before Chief Minister K Palaniswami doubled the aid to families of the 13 people killed in police firing from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Moreover, Tamil Nadu DGP TK Rajendran said internet services would also be restored from Sunday night in Thoothukudi, the nerve centre of the protests.

The government also increased aid for those seriously injured to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh and for those with minor injuries to Rs 1.50 lakh from Rs one lakh. According to PTI, the decision was taken after due consultation with retired Madras High Court Judge Aruna Jagadeesan, who is heading the Commission of Inquiry set up by the government to probe the violence.

The Chief Minister had announced on May 24 that the state government had been taking steps to close down Sterlite plant, through legal means.

Last week, Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta group condoled the death of protestors in Thoothukudi in a statement issued from London.

In a video posted on Twitter, Vedanta Group Chairman, Anil Agarwal said, "Sad about what happened in Thoothukudi. The plant is closed because of annual shut down and we are waiting for clearance from the court and the government to restart the plant. We are strictly following the orders of the court and the government."