The continuing agitation and the death of 13 people in police firing in the last two days in Thoothukudi have raised questions over the fate of Sterlite Copper’s smelter plant. In an interview, P. Ramnath, chief executive officer, Sterlite Copper, accused external forces of inciting local people and said there were enough indications early on that the May 22 protest would not be peaceful. He also said exiting the State was not on cards, and the company would pursue the legal route.
In run up to the May 22 agitation, sufficient warnings were given through social media, posters and pamphlets that it was not going to be a peaceful protest. There were so many social media messages which were inflammatory. There have been posters all over the place showing the plant burning. They made it clear that May 22 was going to be the last day for Sterlite Copper. From the media, we got to know that the police and the Sub-Collector called the protesters for a peace meeting and that they were allotted a ground for holding the protest peacefully. One faction agreed, and the other, did not. Therefore, the violent protest happened, and what followed is very, very unfortunate.