Order issued to respect sentiments of people: CM

“And the regime strives for its lone agenda – welfare of people. We have issued the GO in respect of the sentiments of the people,” he said.

The CM noted that representatives of various groups that were protesting in Thoothukudi met him, his deputy and senior ministers at the Secretariat and presented a memorandum in this regard.

“Peace has returned to the town and it must continue and people should cooperate with the government. Their demand has been fulfilled by Amma’s government,” he said in his message to the people of Thoothukudi. He added that the government has offered to provide treatment to the injured in whichever hospital they prefer even as the state has ensured the best available medical care to them.

Palaniswami further said the people of Thoothukudi were seeking permanent closure of the plant since it did not meet the environment-related conditions of the National Green Tribunal and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

Recalling Jayalalithaa’s efforts for the closure of the Sterlite plant following a gas leak incident, Palaniswami said the unit’s closure was ordered on March 29, 2013.

“Subsequently, power supply to it was discontinued and the unit was shut. However, the plant approached the National Green Tribunal which allowed operations on August 8, 2013,” he said.

“The government appealed against this direction in the Supreme Court and its petition is pending there,” he noted.