Caravan News
AGRA — In the wake of killing of 13 people including one woman and a girl of 17 in Police firing in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, on May 22 and 23, 2018 green activists here on Sunday evening protested and observed two minutes silence to condole the loss of life.
Members of the River Connect Campaign said ordinary people protesting pollution of their environment were targeted by the Tamil Nadu Police.
The protests in Thoothukudi began in March when thousands took to the streets as Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper Factory there has created a hell for the residents because of huge pollution. The protesters demand immediate steps to curb pollution or closure of the factory.
On May 22, reports say that protesters were blocked from demonstratring and were brutally lathi-charged and trained snipers shot at selected targets killing 13 people and injuring many.
Also read: South Asia Solidarity Group Demands Ban on Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper Smelter Factory in Tamil Nadu
Dr Harendra Gupta, ex-President of the Indian Medical Association, said “clean air and water is the birth right of every citizen. The Vedanta plant should either be shut down or take appropriate pollution control measures to ensure the ambient air quality and water properties were not disturbed”, reports IANS.
Activist Deepak Rajput said it was a matter of deep concern that the departments concerned were not taking prompt measures to stop river pollution, while Ajay Anand said citizen groups will need to be mobilised to protest and compel authorities to contain environmental pollution.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has reportedly said on Monday that the government will take necessary steps to permanently shut down the copper smelter plant of Vedanta Ltd, popularly known as Sterlite Copper.
Pannerselvam visited the hospital here and enquired about the health of those injured in the police firing on anti-Sterlite Copper protestors on May 22, in which 13 persons died.
