Public hearing turns violent, 2 cops hurt

Trouble started when Puducherry District Collector Sathyendra Singh Dursawat came to chair a meeting with the people of Kalapet on the expansion of Sashun Drugs. Fishermen from nearby villages, opposing any expansion, gathered there with black flags while, people supporting the expansion were present. 

At one point an argument erupted between the two groups and they started hurling stones and chairs at each other with the Collector postponing the meeting. An officer of the Chemical factory, who came out of the meeting, was manhandled and the police rescued him. Then both the groups started pelting stones again and police resorted to a lathicharge. One group put up a road blockade on the ECR disrupting traffic. 

As the other group rushed to those sitting on the road, police lobbed tear gas shells. Later both the groups dispersed. The mob damaged several motorcycles parked in the vicinity. Meanwhile, NR Congress legislator Ashok Anand submitted a memorandum to Lt Governor Kiran Bedi stating that there were widespread irregularities in the expansion of Sashun factory. Anand demanded action against officials — Mihir Vardhan and Dwarakanath, who arranged the meeting, when the Centre has denied permission for the expansion.