The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the plea on alleged police atrocities, during the protests against the expansion of the Sterlite plant located in Thoothukudi, or Tuticorin, in Tamil Nadu on an urgent basis. “We will hear it after the vacation,” the court said.
A Tamil Nadu based social activist had knocked the doors of the top court, after 13 people died and more than 100 injured when police opened fire on protesters demanding closure of the copper smelter operated by Sterlite, a unit of the Vendanta company.
ALSO READ: Top 10 Tuticorin developments; opposition calls for a bandh on Friday
The protest against the expansion of the plant, which had been going on for more than 100 days, turned violent when the protesters clashed with the police. The people of Thoothukudi allege that the smelter has caused arsenic and cadmium poisoning in the city’s groundwater. On Sunday the fishermen from Thoothukudi also alleged that chemical waste from the industry has affected the river and ponds around the city.
The protests took a violent turn on May 22 and 67 people have been arrested so far for indulging in violence. The administration responded by imposing Section 144 in three districts and suspending internet services. Both have been since lifted.