Tuticorin: UN experts condemn police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters
A team of United Nations experts has condemned police firing on agitators during the anti-Sterlite protest in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin on May 22. The agitators' demand to shut down the copper smelting plant over health and environment pollution turned into a violent event, killing 13 locals. The International body called for an independent probe to ensure human rights violators are brought to justice.
Here's why residents and environmentalists were protesting
May 22 marked the 100th day of protests against Sterlite, but unlike the previous ones, the agitation shockingly turned violent. The protesters demanded Vedanta's Sterlite Copper plant be shut down, even as the company planned to double its capacity from 400,000 to 800,000 tonnes per year. Residents of Tuticorin as well as environmentalists alleged copper slag dumped in the river was polluting groundwater.
The fateful day peaceful protests turned violent
There is still no clarity over how the peaceful protests turned violent. Visuals from the spot showed agitators pelting stones at cops. But what was more concerning was police reaction. Picture and videos showed sniper cops deliberately and strategically aiming protesters. Their action was duly criticized by many across the country. The police firing killed 13 and injured over 70.
What the UN experts have to say on the incident
Taking cognizance of the incident, UN experts said it was important to uphold freedom of expression in a democracy. It also said it was business enterprises' responsibility to "respect human rights, including identifying, preventing, mitigating and accounting for how they address their adverse human rights impacts." The press release added local and national authorities have confirmed contamination of water due to the plant.
Investigation should start without delay, say UN experts
"We call on the Indian authorities to carry out an independent and transparent investigation, without delay, and to ensure that perpetrators of human rights violations be held accountable," the UN press release read.
Plant ordered shut, but CEO had talked of legal route
The experts added the Sterlite smelting plant should resume operation after it is established the factory doesn't violate Indian environmental laws. On May 28, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) ordered immediate closure of the plant. But prior to the announcement, CEO of Sterlite Copper P Ramnath had said exiting Tuticorin was not on its agenda, and it would take the legal route.
