New Delhi
On Wednesday, a group of locals from the Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and area surrounding the Sterlite Copper plant held a protest at Jantar Mantar, calling for the plant’s prompt reopening in order to protect livelihoods and restore the region’s economic prosperity.
They argued that the plant was an essential employer and a major source of income for the area, and that the local communities suffered greatly as a result of its closure in 2018 due to protests alleging environmental violations.
Many have been forced to migrate to cities in search of employment opportunities in order to support their families, as they claim that it has severely damaged the lives of the locals.
They also emphasized how the villagers have realized there was a purposeful attempt to spread false information and raise questions about their sincere worries. They claimed to be fully aware of planned, paid activism that spreads misleading information in an attempt to shut down the factory.
The villagers argued, citing the protest in 2018, that the community was misled and that the disinformation campaign caused violence, which resulted in the tragic deaths of community members and severely damaged their livelihoods.
The villagers also emphasized the significance of differentiating between the legitimate voices of the impacted community and those who are swayed by outside interests. They asked that their request be treated fairly and impartially, free from the influence of outside agendas and false information.
The villagers further contended that the plant’s reopening will promote the growth of nearby industries. They also called for an open discussion with all parties involved to address issues and work together to find a long-term, win-win solution. The Supreme Court has scheduled a final hearing on the matter of the plant’s closure for December 6.
