Gram sabhas seek permanent closure of Sterlite Copper unit

The meetings were called by the district administration to discuss financial position and important issues affecting the villagers. 

Residents of Mappilaiurani, the largest panchayat in the district and located close to the copper smelter unit, passed a resolution stating that their village was the worst-affected among all hamlets because of the Sterlite’s operations. 

Meetings were cancelled in some villages as officials refused to accept the resolutions, which led to heated arguments between residents and officials. 

Similar resolutions were proposed at meetings in Therkuveerapandiyapattinam, Korampallam and Ayyanadaippu panchayats, all located near the plant. 

However, officials in Ayyanadaippu refused to accept the resolution. This led to heated arguments between villagers and officials, ultimately resulting in the meeting being cancelled. 

Villages near Srivaikuntam passed resolutions against supplying water to the unit from the Tamirabarani. 

Meanwhile, youngsters and villagers, who decided to join the ongoing protest at Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica, also called as Madha church, were reportedly abused by a police inspector. 

The officer, identified as Parthiban, abused and threatened to register cases against them if they participated in the protest. 

“Police also prevented youngsters from participating in the agitation,” said Thennavan, one of the coordinators of the protest. 

He also said residents of Mullakadu and Muthyapuram villages near Thoothukudi, who decided to come to the protest spot in buses, were stopped by Police.