Tamil Nadu orders closure of Thoothukudi Sterlite plant: Amid doubts and memories of clash, residents hope for best

A unit of the Vedanta Ltd. Large-scale violence on 22 May against the Sterlite copper plant in Tuticorin and police firing led to the death of 12 persons and the next day saw one more youth succumbing to injuries sustained in police firing. Sterlite Copper is a unit of Vedanta Ltd. Image courtesy: Greeshma Rai

The posters show all those who were killed in Tuticorin clash. Image courtesy: Greeshma Rai

On Monday, Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswamy announced that the government had ordered the permanent closure of the Sterlite plant at Thoothukudi (also known as Tuticorin). Sumathi, a protester (L), doesn't seem entirely convinced by the government order. Image courtesy: Greeshma Rai

Thracepuram saw maximum causalities, with more than 20 residents being hospitalised. After the firing at the collector's office, police forces entered the area and opened fire. Image courtesy: Greeshma Rai

Jhansi, 39, died in the firing. Her sister Rosamma, who witnessed this, said that she and her family would not claim the body until the government ordered Sterlite shut. Image courtesy: Greeshma Rai

In Kumaratiyapuram village, this struggle has been on since 1995. The village is just 100 metres away from the Copper Smelter plant. The 100-day protest which culminated with the death of 13 people and captured the attention of the country began here. Image courtesy: Greeshma Rai