‘Those who gave nod for Sterlite are anti-socials’

Those who gave the permission for establishing and operating the Sterlite Copper smelter in Thoothukudi, and not the protesters, were the anti-social elements, CPI national secretary K. Narayana and farmer-leader R. Nallakannu said here on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Narayana said Thoothukudi had been transformed into a ‘ghost town’ after the riots [which broke out during the anti-Sterlite agitation], during which the police “hunted down the protesters like extremists by shooting them on the head and the chest.” The families of the deceased should be provided ₹1 crore each as compensation, as the police had violated all the rules while controlling the crowd. Those who had been injured in the violence should be given ₹50 lakh each, he said.

“The Chief Minister had described the protesters as anti-socials. For me, those who gave permission for establishing and operating Sterlite Copper are the anti-social elements,” Mr. Narayana said.

Mr. Nallakannu said the police had killed the protesters who had organised their anti-Sterlite agitation for 100 days in a peaceful manner. There wouldn’t have been bloodshed, had the Ministers and the officials held talks with the protesters, he added.

“While the Sterlite Copper’s administration says the plant has been closed down for maintenance, the State government claims steps had been taken for the closure. How can we believe this government?” Mr. Nallakanu asked.