Cutting across political barriers, leaders from all the major political parties on Tuesday welcomed the decision of Madras High Court denying permission to commence operation of Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi.
Chennai:
“The High Court had asserted the stand of the state government which stands firm on its decision to shut down the copper plant. The state will continue to fight against the plant even if it goes for appeal in Supreme Court,” said Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar.
“High Court verdict is a victory for people of Thoothukudi who have been protesting against the copper plant for 26 years. It is the victory for the 13 lives which were taken during the anti-sterlite protest,” said MDMK leader Vaiko, who is one of the pioneers of anti-Sterlite protests starting from 1994.
DMDK leader Vijayakant also welcomed the verdict. “Any project that is welcomed by the public will only succeed. I welcome the High Court verdict,” he said.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman said that the verdict on Thoothukudi police firing in which 13 protesters were killed should be delivered soon.
“State government appointed Justice Aruna Jagadeesan committee to investigate the Thoothukudi police firing, but the committee had not submitted its report for two years. Similarly, CBI which was given four-month time had not submitted its report on the case,” recalled Thirumavalvan.
“Delayed justice is denied justice. It is still hurting that policemen and government officials who were responsible for firing on the protesters are still roaming free,” added Seeman.
TNCC president KS Alagiri also welcomed the judgment and said that it was a victory to the people’s movement. He asked the state government to make efforts to ensure that the victory was permanent and be vigilant and make efforts to secure victory in the Supreme Court too.
The CPM and MNM too welcomed the verdict.
In a statement, CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan said that the court verdict should be dedicated to the martyrs who lost their lives in the police firing in the protest against the Sterlite plant. “It is a victory for the people who were protesting for the past 15 years seeking the permanent closure of the plant,” he added.
In a tweet, MNM founder Kamal Haasan wrote: “The court ruling that the ban on the Sterlite plant will continue is a justice found in the sacrifice of many lives. I am the brother who knows the necessity of this judgment, their pain, up close. This another proof that the voice of the people will always win.”