THOOTHUKUDI

While people opposing Sterlite copper smelting plant here sought to stop welfare activities carried out by the company, members of pro-Sterlite organisations demanded reopening of the plant on Monday.

During the grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate, people from Pandarampatti, Madathur, Therku Veerapadiapuram and other villages, who are opposing the plant, said that the welfare activities carried out by the company would create a rift among the people and lead to a law and order problem. “Names of the villages should not be used when some people in these villages participate in the company’s welfare activities,” they stressed.

They said that the company did not have any permission for carrying out welfare activities when the plant remained shut.

Meanwhile, members of a few organisations, including Tuticorin Stevedores’ Association, Tuticorin City Lorry Booking Agents Association and Lorry Owners’ Association, said that their livelihood had been hit badly in the past 15 months as the plant remained shut. They said that all allied businesses had also been hit, leading to a loss of livelihood for thousands of people.

Sections of residents of Saminatham and Therku Veerapandiapuram said that welfare activities such as providing drinking water and vocational training for women were beneficial for them.

In view of assembly of opposing groups, a large number of police personnel had been deployed at the Collectorate.