PANJIM: Goan People’s Movements and Civil Society on Friday denounced the action of the Tamil Nadu authorities in Thoothukudi which led to the death of 13 civilians.
“We are aware that the people of Thoothukudi have been resisting the establishment and functioning of Sterlite copper smelter for more than two decades. Due to the pollution caused by this plant, made possible by complete lack of action on part of regulatory and administrative authorities, the health, wellbeing and livelihood of the people have been directly and irreversibly impacted,” Goan People’s Movements and Civil Society said in a statement.
They added, “We are shocked by the excessive force with which the State has chosen to respond to this movement which was exercising its constitutional right to a peaceful protest. The presence of sharpshooters at a civilian, unarmed, peaceful protest can only further break any remaining trust in the administration. The reports that the police chased and shot at people in fishing hamlets show that there has been a systematic targeting of protestors.”
The NGO further said that they hold the Government of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, District Administration of Thoothukudi and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India, responsible for the escalation of violence and deaths in Thoothukudi. “We are deeply concerned that our democracy is being undermined by the very people who are meant to safeguard it. In such situations, it falls on us, citizens, to protect the best interest of our land and communities. And this is exactly what our sisters and brothers in Thoothukudi are doing. We stand staunchly with them,” the statement further said.
Goan People’s Movements and Civil Society has demanded the closure of the plant at Thoothkudi and a halt on expansion of the plant while pitching for a CBI enquiry into the incident.
