Chennai: Leaders of various political parties in Tamil Nadu, including Chief Minister
and DMK President M.K.Stalin hailed the Supreme Court verdict ordering permanent closure of the Sterlite’s copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi district of the State.
A three-member Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice D.Y.Chandrachud on Thursday upheld the August 2020 Madras High Court order on closing down the plant holding that the High Court had in 2018 confirmed the decisions of the State government and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to shut down the plant permanently.
In a social media post, Mr Stalin said the Apex Court judgement against the reopening of the plant was a victory for the people, who protested against it and assured that his government will protect the people from any threat.
It was also a victory for the Tamil Nadu government which had waged a strong legal battle against it, he added.
He also asserted that “we will protect the people from any threat”.
Leaders of various political parties, including MDMK General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko, an ally of the DMK, and PMK Founder Dr.S.Ramadoss also welcomed the Apex Court order.
It may be recalled that the plant was shut down by the state government after the May 2018 anti-Sterlite protests during a march to the district collectorate turned violent leading to police firing in which 13 people were killed and several injured.
The one-man commission of inquiry ordered by the state government has recommended action against some police officials involved in connection with the incident.
