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Organisers’ row not to affect 100th day of Sterlite stir
There is rift between the coordinators, who had led the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi, as Fatima Babu, one of the pioneers in anti- Sterlite protests, was kept out of the agitation, on Sunday. However, the rift is unlikely to come in the way of the Tuesday agitation as the protesters are firm in their stand. To mark the 100th day
By
migrator
migrator
Madurai
To mark the 100th day of their campaign against the copper unit in Kumareddiyapuram village, situated near the Sterlite limited premises, the protesters have decided to gather in large numbers on Tuesday demanding permanent closure of the company. Traders, business establishments and locals have expressed support to the agitation.
Initially, the protesters had decided to gherao the Thoothukudi Collectorate to press their demand and gave a call to all sections to join the protest. When the entire town was gearing up for the massive protest, policemen held talks with the coordinators, including Fatima Babu.
During the talks it was decided that the protest would be held at a school ground in Thoothukudi on Tuesday, but the decision was not welcomed by other protesters.
The Pandarampatti villagers had opposed the decision of Fatima Babu to hold the protest at a school ground and decided to conduct their agitation near Thoothukudi Collectorate.
Krishnamoorthy, one of the coordinators, said that Fatima Babu had compromised with the officials and attempts were being made to water down the protest against the Sterlite copper unit. “It is not just another protest but a fight to save our life and livelihood,” he said.
The decision to hold the protest at the school ground was taken without consulting those who were protesting in various villages and in Thoothukudi town. Following this, other protesters and residents of villages, it was decided to keep Fatima Babu out of the campaign on Tuesday, said Krishnamoorthy.
Meanwhile, police on Monday started to pick up coordinators of the protest as a preventive measure.
More than 2,000 policemen from neighbouring districts had been brought to Thoothukudi district to provide protection to the company.
Section 144 in Thoothukudi
To prevent anti-sterlite protesters from joining the Tuesday’s agitation against the unit, Thoothukudi Collector, N Venkatesh, had announced that Section 144 would be in force from 10 pm on Monday to 8 am on Wednesday in Thoothukudi.
In a press statement, the Collector said that the orders would be in place in Thoothukudi town alone, covering areas between Thoothukudi South Police station to Thoothukudi SIPCOT police station.
Collector had warned that more than five people should not meet in a place, transporting people for the protest and possession of weapons, during the period when the ban order was in force, would invite severe action.
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