No expansion of Vedanta: HC

The Madras high court directed Vedanta Limited (formerly Sterlite Industries Limited) to stop construction and all other activities on the site proposed for establishing unit-II of the copper smelting plant at Thoothukudi with immediate effect.

A division bench comprising Justices M. Sundar and Anita Sumanth passed the interim order on a public interest litigation from Fatima, a retired associate professor in English and a senior citizen of Thoothukudi.

As of now, there was no approval granted for expansion of the unit and in the light of the admission of counsel for Vedanta, such approval can be considered only after a public hearing and consultation is conducted, said the bench while giving the directions.

Meanwhile, police in Thoothukudi opened fire again on Wednesday to control a rioting mob at Anna Nagar, killing Kaliappan, 22, and injuring five others. Police came under attack with stones and petrol bombs, eyewitnesses said.

With 11 falling to police firing on Tuesday, when the anti-Sterlite stir entered the 100th day and the protesters marched to the collector’s office to present demand for permanent closure of the copper smelter unit alleging it was polluting environment, Kaliappan’s death now has taken the toll in the unfortunate and avoidable tragedy to 12.