Locals claim anti-Sterlite protest leader received Rs 50 lakh

The campaign against the Vedanta Resource Group’s Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu had led to the shutdown of the copper plant which contributed over 40% to the country’s copper production. With the passage of time shocking revelations about the protests being staged have come out at regular intervals from Tamil Nadu. In July, after just a few weeks of the protests, the fishermen from Therespuram in Thoothukudi had claimed that they had nothing to do with violence which broke out on 22nd May and the fishermen had further submitted a petition to the district legal services authority accusing advocates belonging to a left group, Makkal Adhikaram to have instigated some innocent youths. Something similar has come out this time too, this time the allegations are far more severe, with several unidentified men pointing fingers at the leader of the staged protest for benefitting nearly Rs 50 lakhs from the anti-sterlite protest.

The allegations have come from Tuticorin where a villager affected by the closure of the Sterlite plant has accused the anti-Sterlite protest leader of suddenly becoming rich post the staging of the protests. The man addressed the media outside the venue where the National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel consisting of three members was listening to public responses related to the closure of the plant. The unidentified man came openly in front of the media and the NGT panel and said, “Do you know how Mahesh, who headed the anti-Sterlite campaign, has earned money? He has got Rs 50 lakh (from those behind the anti-Sterlite campaign). Out of the Rs 50 lakh, he has bought a house for Rs 22 lakh from Muthamma colony. How did he buy that house? He has used this (anti-Sterlite) protest to make money. He has bought a car for Rs 4.5 lakh. How has he gotten this money? He has spoilt the lives of all of us. Even today, he comes as the first person to give a petition to the NGT panel. There are so many people who have been affected by the plant’s closure and are starving without water. The Sterlite copper plant should be reopened.”

This is a big allegation against the ones who organised the protests as well as instigated the mob to indulge in violence. The village folks have not only been stripped off their livelihood but have also been rendered helpless post the violence which erupted on 22^nd May during the protests demanding its closure. The ensuing police firing claimed the lives of 13 people, the blame for which was once again tried to be put on the Modi government. Vedanta Resources Group has petitioned against the closure following which the NGT has nominated a three member panel headed by retired justice Tarun Agarwal to submit a report on the plant. The panel is currently hearing people and is taking into considerations their demands which range from reopening to its permanent closure. The panel till date has received over 45,000 petitions demanding the reopening of Sterlite plant. More such revelations will come out in the future which will prove the participation of left wing naxal organisations in the staging of the protests which led to the closure of the plant.