Sterlite Moves HC for Addl Security in View of May 22 Protest

Madurai, May 16 (PTI) The Vedanta Limited today moved the Madras High Court seeking additional security and clamping of regulatory orders around its copper smelter plant in Tuticorin, as it apprehended violence during a proposed protest on May 22 demanding closure of the unit.

In a petition, General Manager (Legal) of the company sought a direction to the District Collector and Superintendent of Police to clamp regulatory orders under IPC section 144 (prohibit assembly of more than four people in an area) in one-km periphery around the plant and company quarters in Tuticorin.

The petitioner said posts in social media and pamphlets indicated that different groups were planning to organise the protest on May 22 demanding the shutdown of the factory.

There was a plan to unleash violence and even "burn down the factory", the petitioner alleged and said the regulatory order banning assembly of four or more persons could prevent such incidents.

Noting that the copper smelter unit was at present closed for maintenance, the general manager said there would be a law and order problem and the employees and factory would be in danger if the IPC section 144 was not invoked.

The petitioner also referred to hurling of petrol bombs on the plant recently by some miscreants.

The petrol bomb attack, however, did not cause any damage as the missiles fell outside the plant.

Locals have staged demonstrations in recent weeks demanding the closure of the Sterlite unit on grounds that it was allegedly causing pollution.

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