Sterlite protest latest updates: Plant’s power supply cut off, internet services suspended in area; DMK calls for bandh
Amid intensified anti-Sterlite protest, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Board on Thursday disconnected the power supply of Sterlite Copper Smelter plan in stir-hit Thoothukudi.
The step comes a day after the authorities suspended the Internet services in the area.
One person was killed and three others injured earlier yesterday as fresh violence broke out in Anna Nagar, thus taking the death toll of the Sterlite protest incident to 12.
On Tuesday, 11 people were killed and over 65 got injured during protests against the construction of a new copper smelter by the Sterlite industries in Thoothukudi.
The agitation turned violent after protesters were barred from marching up to the plant, due to which they began to pelt stones and toppled police vehicles.
In retaliation, police officials resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd to contain the situation.
Meanwhile, the DMK and other opposition parties in Tamil Nadu have called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh tomorrow, condemning the police action against protesters in Tuticorin, in which 11 people lost their lives.
The DMK had on Tuesday called for an all-party protest in all district headquarters on May 25 to condemn the police firing in Tuticorin district.
In a statement issued late last night, the DMK said instead of the all-party protest, a state-wide bandh would be observed on May 25 to condemn the police action and demand closure of the Sterlite copper smelter plant in Tuticorin district.
People living in Tuticorin and its neighbouring districts were angered by the police action against the agitators, the release said, adding, "The bandh will also reflect the feelings of Tamils." "The DMK, the All India National Congress, the Dravidar Kazhagam, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the CPI, the CPI(M), the Indian Union Muslim League, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi will participate in the day-long state-wide protest," it said.
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