Tuticorin: The months-long protest demanding closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit here took a violent turn today with agitators pelting stones and toppling police vehicles after they were prevented from marching towards the plant.
Police said section 144 of CrPc has been invoked in and around the Sterlite unit to provide security to it as per the orders of the Madras High Court.
However, angered over not being allowed to take out a rally, the slogan-shouting protesters forcibly tried to push back the security personnel in riot gear.
They then started hurling stones at police and also overturned a vehicle after which the security personnel lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, they said.
While more than 20 people suffered minor injuries in stone-pelting incident, some vehicles were set on fire, leading to tension in the area, they added.
Meanwhile, a peaceful demonstration was held near the old bus stand in the town, also demanding the closure of the Sterlite unit and the proposed expansion of the plant.
Several shops in this town, Srivaikundam and Oddapidaram remained shut in support of the protest, police said.
The district has been witnessing several protests by locals and others against the Sterlite Copper plant here and its proposed expansion.
Protesters have alleged that the plant was polluting ground water in their area.
Sterlite Copper represents the copper unit of Vedanta Limited which operates a 400,000 tonnes per annum-plant in Tuticorin.
Police said section 144 of CrPc has been invoked in and around the Sterlite unit to provide security to it as per the orders of the Madras High Court.
However, angered over not being allowed to take out a rally, the slogan-shouting protesters forcibly tried to push back the security personnel in riot gear.
While more than 20 people suffered minor injuries in stone-pelting incident, some vehicles were set on fire, leading to tension in the area, they added.
Advertisement
Several shops in this town, Srivaikundam and Oddapidaram remained shut in support of the protest, police said.
Advertisement
Protesters have alleged that the plant was polluting ground water in their area.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Vedanta Chairman Shares Special Birthday Post For Daughter: "She's Always Lived Simple Life" Vedanta Chairman Shares His Father's Advice That Kept Him Motivated: "Baat Karne Se..." Vedanta Can't Reopen Sterlite Copper Plant, Public Health Important: Supreme Court Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Cops Probing Conspiracy Angle Into Kolkata Hospital Vandalism: 5 Points "Anti-Constitution": Siddaramaiah On Governor's Prosecution Sanction Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points Swiss Air Lines Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing In Kazakhstan Chechen Leader Drives Armed Tesla Cybertruck, Plans To Send It to Ukraine Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.