Chennai, May 29: DMK and its party members including the working president of the party MK Stalin, wore black clothes to the Tamil Nadu assembly to protest against the recent police firing on the anti-Sterlite protestors in Thoothukudi. 13 people died after the police firing incident in Tutikorin which has come under massive criticism from various quarters. The protest by DMK saw its members donning black as a mark of protest against the police firing.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the state Pollution Control Board to seal and "permanently" close the Vedanta group's copper plant in Tuticorin following last week's violent protests over pollution concerns during which 13 people were killed in police firing. Soon after the issuance of the Government Order (GO), top Tuticorin district officials sealed the copper smelter unit premises and pasted the order at the main gate.

Palaniswami told reporters in Chennai the "plant has been permanently closed". The government's decision came a day ahead of the start of the state Assembly session where it is likely to come under intense Opposition fire over the Tuticorin incidents.

"Now the plant is permanently closed. The GO has been implemented," Tuticorin District Collector Sandeep Nanduri said. Reacting to the closure, Vedanta Ltd termed it "unfortunate" and said it would decide the future course of action after studying the development.

"Closure of Sterlite Copper plant is an unfortunate development, especially since, we have operated the plant for over 22 years in most transparent and sustainable way, contributing to the Tuticorin and state's socio-economic development. We will study the development and decide on the future course of action," Vedanta Ltd said in a statement.

The closure of the copper plant caps sustained protests and campaign for the last several years by the local people against copper factory over environmental pollution concerns. (With Agency Inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2018 11:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).