villagers take out procession,demand closure of Sterlite unit

About 500 people from 18 villages in and around this town today took out a procession to the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board office here, demanding closure of the Sterlite plant.

However they were stopped half a kilometre away from the plant by police, who allowed one representative from each village to go to the Board office and submit a memorandum.

Officials said their memorandum would be submitted to the government for suitable action.

The residents in and around the plant have been holding demonstrations and fast over the last 50 days, demanding closure of the factory, citing environmental concerns.

Various political parties such as DMK and actor Kamal Hassan's Makkal Neethi Mayyam have also taken part in the anti-Sterlite protest.

The company has rejected the allegation, saying there was no violation of pollution control norms.

On April 4, the Madras High Court had directed police to provide security for the plant in the wake of the agitation.