CM Palaniswami assures action against Thoothukudi police firing, DMK announces House boycott till the plant is permanently closed

Calling the Government Order for closure of the Sterlite copper plant an 'eyewash' and 'drama', DMK members staged a walkout, saying they would boycott House proceedings till the unit was "permanently shut."

Members of DMK's ally Congress, wearing black badges, sat through Chief Minister Palaniswami's about one-hour reply and walked out later, saying they did not get the answer they expected from the government.

After Palaniswami's address, Congress Legislature party leader KR Ramasamy pointedly asked if the 'incidents', an apparent reference to the police firing and deaths, were "right or wrong" and added they expected an answer for it.

He said the probe into the incidents should be done properly or must be transferred to the CBI.

The Chief Minister said a Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, has been set up and based on its findings, "appropriate action will be taken if anyone is found to have committed wrongs."

Expressing grief over the deaths, he wondered how a comment like right or wrong can be made when an inquiry panel was seized of the matter.

Earlier, tabling a report on the violent incidents on May 22 in Thoothukudi, he said measures like tear gas and baton charge were used against those who indulged in violence.

"In unavoidable circumstances, police personnel were forced to take action," he said in an apparent reference to the police firings.

He urged the people of Thoothukudi not to succumb to instigations by anyone and cooperate for the continuation of peace.

Soon after question hour, Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin, attired in black, targeted the government for issuing a Government Order (GO) for closure of Vedanta group's copper plant in Thoothukudi, rather than convening the Cabinet and taking a policy decision in this regard.

Calling issuance of the GO an "eyewash and drama," tantamount to signalling the Sterlite management to approach the court, the DMK leader said the move was similar to what was done in 2013 over the issue.

The Tamil Nadu government had yesterday ordered the state Pollution Control Board to seal and "permanently" close the plant following last week's protests, over pollution concerns, during which 13 people were killed in police firing.

Blaming the state government for not holding talks with the people and seeking the resignation of the Chief Minister, the DMK working president said his party would boycott House proceedings till the plant was "permanently closed."

Congress also sought the resignation of the government over the issue. Later Stalin led party colleagues in staging a walkout, shouting slogans seeking resignation of the Chief Minister.

All DMK members present were dressed in black, which, they said, was to signify their protest and grief over the firings. The opposition party declined to toe the government line that the unit was closed permanently.

Both DMK and Congress demanded withdrawal of all cases and release of those arrested. Large-scale violence on May 22 against the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi and police firing led to the death of 13 people.

The following day one more youth succumbed to injuries in police firing. Palaniswami hit back at Stalin, saying the protest against the unit had been going on for 22 years and it was DMK which was enacting a 'drama' on the issue.

He demanded to know why it was not closed when DMK was in power for 10 years (1996-2001 and 2006-11). Also, land allocation for Sterlite expansion was made only during the DMK regime, he said.

"DMK is trying to portray as if the (AIADMK) government has done something wrong on the issue. However, the people know who is enacting a drama," he said.

Palaniswami said the GO for closure of Sterlite was issued only after consulting legal experts. He said though the anti-Sterlite protest group agreed for a peaceful demonstration on May 22, some political parties and outfits joined it 'all of a sudden' to push the government to a corner and created a law and order problem.

"Some infiltrated the demonstration (rally) and indulged in violence by hurling stones at police personnel, chased and assaulted them, damaged the collectorate building and set on fire government and private vehicles," he said and later showed photographs in this connection in his speech in the House.

He said vehicles parked in the residential quarters of Sterlite were set on fire. Similarly, Thoothukudi South Police State and a district industries office were damaged.

All efforts were made by police to halt the arsonists and rein in violence to safeguard the lives of public and guard property who used measures like tear-gas and baton-charge.

Stalin said the firing would not have occurred had adequate police personnel been deployed. Palaniswami's remark (made days ago) that anti-socials had infiltrated the rally led to depiction of the innocent public as anti-socials, he alleged.

He said the government should have taken back its environment clearance given in 1995 and rescinded all permits and licences given to it.