Why was no corrective action taken for 99 days either by the Tamil Nadu government or Sterlite Copper and the protests against the company allowed to get out of control at Thoothukudi? This was the question raised by S Ramanathan, former Inspector-General of Police, Tamil Nadu. “Wasn’t 99 days of peaceful protest enough for both to take corrective action?” Both the parties had ample time to sort out the issue in an amicable way, but failed to do so, he said in a panel discussion on ‘The Sterlite story unplugged’, organised by the Chennai International Centre.

Defending the use of force, Ramanathan said the police did their best to keep the situation under control. Unfortunately, the situation went beyond control and the police force was compelled to open fire.

The police action on civilians could have been restricted. Since various agencies are investigating the issue, it will not be right on his part to give more opinion, he said.

On May 23, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board ordered the closure of the Sterlite Copper Smelter plant at Thoothukudi with immediate effect. This was two days after over ten protesters were killed in police firing.

P Ramnath, CEO, Sterlite Copper, claimed that the plant at Thoothukudi was zero waste, zero harm and zero discharge. There are many fake news going around, and the company has become a victim, he said during the discussion moderated by MK Narayanan, former National Security Advisor of India. He refuted allegations that Thoothukudi was the Cancer Capital of Tamil Nadu and Sterlite was responsible for this. There are government data to prove that this allegation is wrong.

Environmental advocate D Nagasaila urged Sterlite to be transparent and come out with all the data. “Why not you disclose the material balance,” she said referring to what the company imports, and how they are used.

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