Land allocation for Sterlite expansion cancelled, probe into

The Tamil Nadu government today cancelled land allotment for planned expansion of Vedanta group's copper plant in Tuticorin "in larger public interest" and ordered a CB-CID probe into the violence during the anti-Sterlite protest and police firing that left 13 dead.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the state assembly that the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) has issued the order cancelling the land allotment.

The move comes a day after the state government ordered its Pollution Control Board to seal and 'permanently' close the Sterlite Copper plant following last week's protests, over pollution concerns.

The probe into the violence during the last week's protest and police firing was today transferred from local police to the Crime Branch-CID police, a senior official told PTI.

In a related development, state Governor Banwarilal Purohit visited the kin of some of those killed in the police firings on May 22 and 23 and also met the injured at a goverment hospital at Tuticorin.

Officials said Purohit asked the doctors to ensure best treatment to the injured.

He was briefed by officials on the violent incidents and the present situation as well, officials said.

The prolonged agitation by the locals demanding closure of the Sterlite factory turned violent on its 100th day on May 22 and 13 people were killed in police action over two days. At least 50 persons were injured.

Speaking in the assembly, Palaniswami said the land for expansion was allocated during the previous DMK regime and SIPCOT has now cancelled it.

Earlier, SIPCOT in its communication to the Vedanta group said: "As the allotment of land for the proposed expansion has been made by SIPCOT, in larger public interest, the land allotment made by SIPCOT for proposed expansion of copper smelter plant (Phase-2) by Vedanta Ltd is hereby cancelled."
An official release here said, "The cancellation of allotment of 342.22 acres of land has been made in larger public interest and this has been communicated to the company."