The state political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) along with All India National Congress and support of other opposition parties will observe a statewide shut down (dawn-to-dusk bandh) on 25 May at all district headquarters to condemn killing of 13 protestors in police firing in Tuticorin district who were demanding closure of sterlite copper smelting plant and also against the AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government.
“Tamil Nadu government knew that this being 100th day of agitation, it’s going to be bigger. They should’ve made better arrangements to maintain law and order but nothing was done. They simply resorted to firing. It was a massacre, almost like Jallianwala Bagh,” Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.
In a statement issued on the night of May 23, the DMK said a bandh would be observed on May 25 to condemn the police action and demand the closure of the Sterlite copper smelting plant in Tuticorin district permanently.
The Tamil Nadu government has transferred Tuticorin District Collector and Superintendent of Police.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has ordered the closure of Sterlite Copper Smelter plant in Thoothukudi with immediate effect. The electricity supply to the unit was also disconnected on the early morning of May 24.
Till now 67 people have been reportedly arrested for indulging in the violence.
According to reports, the Internet services will be suspended in Thoothukudi, Thirunalveli and Kanyakumari districts from May 23-27.
