Flood mitigation work to begin soon in Chennai, 13 Tamil Nadu districts

 The flood mitigation work will commence soon in Chennai and 13 other districts of Tamil Nadu after the state highways department accorded sanction for the same

The flood mitigation work is to commence soon in Chennai and 13 other districts of Tamil Nadu after the state highways department accorded sanction for the same. According to the state highways authorities, an amount of Rs 392.16 crore has been allocated.

A government order was issued on Friday and the Chief Engineer of the construction and maintenance wing of the state highways submitted a proposal to conduct permanent flood restoration work in Chennai city and 13 other districts. It may be noted that the cyclones, ‘Nirav’ and ‘Bureri’ wrecked havoc in these areas in November and December 2020. The department will be constructing additional bridges and vents, cross drainage works, replacing pipe culverts, to construct drains and micro drains and reconstruction of damaged protective works..Read More

PM to lay foundation stones for redevelopment of 5 railway stations in TN

 The project has been undertaken with a view to enhancing the convenience and comfort of the passengers through modern amenities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will lay the foundation stones for the redevelopment of five Railway stations in Tamil Nadu – Chennai Egmore, Rameswaram, Madurai, Katpadi, and Kanyakumari. Redevelopment of the Railway stations project will be completed at a cost of over Rs 1,800 crore. The project has been undertaken with a view to enhancing the convenience and comfort of the passengers through modern amenities.

Besides this, PM Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate 1,152 houses constructed under the ‘Light House Project — Chennai’ and built at a cost of Rs 116 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban. PM will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of 11 projects worth over Rs 31,500 crore in Chennai. The 75 km long Madurai-Teni (Railway Gauge Conversion Project), built at a cost of over Rs 500 crore, will boost tourism in the region while the 30 km long third railway line between Tambaram – Chengalpattu, built at a cost of over Rs 590 crore, will boost suburban connection.

Foxconn India iPhone plant to reopen on January 12: Govt officials

 The Foxconn plant, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, was closed on Dec. 18 following protests over 250 of its workers being treated for food poisoning

Apple Inc supplier Foxconn will reopen an iPhone manufacturing facility in southern India on Wednesday with 500 workers, government officials and a legislator in the region where the plant is located told Reuters. The Foxconn plant, in the town of Sriperumbudur near the Tamil Nadu state capital of Chennai, employed about 17,000 people but was closed on Dec. 18 after protests over 250 of its workers who fell sick with food poisoning.

Apple has since placed the factory on probation after discovering that some dormitories and dining rooms did not meet required standards. Foxconn and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. K Selvaperunthagai, a member of the state assembly for the area, said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin told the assembly late on Friday the plant would reopen on Wednesday with 500 workers.

Government officials have said Foxconn intended to resume production gradually but have not said when the full workforce would be back on the job. Foxconn has been making the iPhone 12 and testing production of the iPhone 13 at the Sriperumbudur facility, its only plant in India, government officials have said. Apple has eight other suppliers in India.

Inter-district movement of buses, cars suspended till June 30 in Tamil Nadu

The Chief Minister said that the decision was taken to curb the spread of new Covid-19 cases in the state

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said that the inter-district movement of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses and private vehicles will not be allowed from June 25 to June 30.

The Chief Minister said that the decision was taken to curb the spread of new Covid-19 cases in the state. “For the next five days, till June 30, transportation within zones not be allowed in the state. Government buses will be functional only within districts. Private vehicles will not be allowed to cross from one district to another,” Palaniswami said.

“Movement of private vehicles to another district will be allowed only after obtaining e-passes from Tamil Nadu government website,” he added. The state on Wednesday reported 2,865 new coronavirus cases and 33 deaths. With this, the total number of cases reached 67,468, while the toll increased to 866, according to Tamil Nadu Health Department.

Pakistan fails to check terror group funding, stays on FATF’s ‘Grey List’

The decision was taken at the FATF’s third and final plenary held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic

The global terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force, on Wednesday decided to keep Pakistan on the ‘Grey List’ as it has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like the LeT and the JeM, officials said.The decision was taken at the FATF’s third and final plenary held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic.The plenary was held under the Chinese Presidency of Xiangmin Liu.“The FATF plenary decided continuation of Pakistan in ‘Grey List’ till its next meeting to be held in October,” an official privy to the development said.

The decision has been taken as Pakistan has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed , the official said. 

Pakistan remains safe haven for terrorists: US reportPakistan took “modest steps” in 2019 to counter terror financing and restrain India-focused militant groups from conducting large-scale attacks following the Pulwama attack in February, but it remained a “safe harbor” for regionally focused terrorist groups, the US said on Wednesday.The suspension of US aid to Pakistan, which was announced by President Donald Trump in January 2018, remained in effect throughout 2019, the State Department said.  PTI

Over 500 flights take off, but states create plane confusion at airports

Maharashtra clears air, says short-term visitors exempt from isolation

It was a day of delight and despair for passengers as domestic airlines resumed flights on Monday after two months of suspension. While more than 39,000 people flew on Day One, several hundred remained stranded due to last minute cancellations.

Even as airlines were supposed to operate 33 per cent of the approved summer schedule, they were forced to rework their itineraries late Sunday evening following many rounds of discussions between the Centre and states. The original schedule turned upside down as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, allowed operations with only limited number of flights…

ALSO READ: Day 1 of flights resumption: Airlines walk an extra mile to ensure safe ops

Industry sources estimated the average passenger load on Monday at around 55 per cent, with IndiGo operating half the total flights. For some flights, fewer than 10 passengers turned up. Alliance Air’s Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Dehradun flights flew with two and three passengers only, executives confirmed.

While flights from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Northeast states saw 100-plus passengers each, Bengaluru and Mumbai-bound flights from the Capital had lower number of passengers. Short-duration visitors, including business travellers, will not be required to undergo isolation in Maharashtra, the state said in its standard operating procedures for domestic air travel on Monday…Read More

Coronavirus update: Key developments in the last 24 hours and takeaways

Yesterday, in a video conference with chief ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicated the nationwide lockdown could be extended beyond May 17, but with eased restrictions for businesses

The total number of Covid-19 cases in India has reached 70,765, with more than 3,600 cases being reported in 24 hours. Here are some key takeaways: Delhi has added 319 new cases in a day. It has consistently added more than 200 cases for 11 days. Total cases added on these days comes to 3718, which is 51.5% of all case tally of 7233.

Also Read: Centre releases Rs 6,195 crore to 14 states to fight coronavirus crisis

Gujarat has added 347 new cases in 24 hours. It has consistently added more than 300 cases on each of the past 13 days. Total cases added during this period, 4767, is 56% of its case tally of 8541. Maharashtra has added 1230 new cases in 24 hours. The state has consistently added more than 1,000 cases on seven of the past eight days. Its addition of cases in the past eight days is 10427, which is 44.5% of its case tally of 23401…

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Centre may extend lockdown beyond May 17 with easier norms for business

PM assures resumption of more economic activities; zone identification may be left to states

After a 6-hour video conference with chief ministers (CMs), Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised resumption of more economic activities in the weeks to come and asked states to take the lead in deciding the contours of the next phase of lockdown and share their strategies with him by May 15. “Slowly but surely, economic activities have begun to pick up in several parts of the country. In coming days, this process will gather steam. We must realise that the fight against Covid-19 has to be more focused now,” Modi said, suggesting a more granular planning beyond May 17, when the current phase of lockdown ends.

ALSO READ: Govt borrowing may spike yields, dent gilt fund returns due to MTM impact

“We now have reasonably clear indication as to the geographical spread of the pandemic in India, including the worst-affected areas. Over the past few weeks, officials have understood operating procedures in a time such as this, right up to the district level,” he said, indicating a more decentralised approach to fighting the virus. “I want states to make a blueprint on how to deal with various nuances during and after the gradual easing of the lockdown.”The Centre indicated that an economic package for the states was on the anvil, and the PM expressed the need to strengthen health infrastructure with onset of monsoon round the corner.

Coronavirus outbreak: From Delhi to Maharashtra, states on a war footing

Many states are opting for a partial or near-lockdown, restricting inter-state movement and shutting down commercial establishments

Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, state governments are launching their own efforts to fight it in tandem with the Centre’s initiatives. Many states are opting for a partial or near-lockdown, restricting inter-state movement and shutting down commercial establishments. And they are coming out with a raft of measures to mitigate the economic fallout of such steps.

Coronavirus: Delhi border to be sealed, no public transport, says Kejriwal

Delhi will be locked down in view of the growing coronavirus threat, from 6 am on March 23, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced at a joint press conference with Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Sunday. The lockdown will continue till 12 midnight on March 31, Kejriwal said. During the lockdown, no public transport will operate and Delhi's borders will be sealed but the essential services related to health, food, water and power supply will continue, he said. Read More…

Coronavirus: Maharashtra working on plan to tackle economic challenges

Maharashtra, which on Sunday extended the lockdown to all urban centres, is putting a plan in place to tackle the economic challenges thrown up by the pandemic. “We are working to find a solution to the financial challenges caused by the Covid-19 crisis and a working group has been formed to look into it,” said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Covid-19 has so far infected 74 persons in the state. 

Gujarat announces 1,200-bed hospital to treat coronavirus patients

Apart from imposing Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across major cities, the Gujarat Government has announced that a 1,200-bed hospital in Ahmedabad will be exclusively devoted to treating coronavirus patients. The number of positive Covid-19 cases in Gujarat jumped to 13 in three days with no casualties so far. Read More…

Tamil orator arrested for ‘provocative’ remarks against Modi, Amit Shah

Kannan made the alleged remarks at an event organised by the Social Democratic Party of India on December 28

A Tamil orator, who allegedly made provocative remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah last week, was taken into custody late Wednesday night, police said. Nellai Kannan was whisked away by a police team in Perambalur district in connection with complaints against him by the BJP and the ruling AIADMK.

The move comes hours after top Tamil Nadu BJP leaders staged a demonstration near Gandhi statue point on the Marina beach front in Chennai, demanding his arrest over the remarks. The BJP had also petitioned Governor Banwarilal Purohit seeking action against Kannan. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K S Alagiri in a statement claimed Kannan has been arrested. Alagiri also condemned the move.

Kannan made the alleged remarks at an event organised by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on December 28. The BJP on Monday lodged a police complaint seeking his arrest and prosecution. “Such remarks are open threat to the lives of the prime minister and the home minister and are an attempt to incite violence, criminal intimidation, and abetment to murder,” State BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi had said.

Tamil Nadu Health System reform programme gets $287 mn loan from World Bank

The programme will promote population-based screening, treatment and follow-up for NCDs, and improve monitoring and evaluation

The central government, Tamil Nadu and the World Bank have signed a $287 million loan agreement for the state’s Health System Reform Programme that aims to improve the quality of health care, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and fill equity gaps in reproductive and child health services.

Tamil Nadu ranks third among all Indian states in the NITI Aayog Health Index. The state’s maternal mortality rate has declined from 90 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 62 deaths in 2015-16 while infant mortality has declined from 30 deaths per 1000 live births to 20 in the same period.

A key contribution to these achievements has been the establishment of emergency obstetric and neonatal care centres and 108 ambulance service with support from the World Bank. These have ensured that no mother has to travel more than 30 minutes to access emergency obstetric and neonatal care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Despite these impressive gains, certain challenges in health care remain, including quality of care and variations in reproductive and child health among districts. Tamil Nadu is also dealing with a growing burden of NCDs as they account for nearly 69 percent of deaths in the state.

The Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Program will support the state government to develop clinical protocols and guidelines; achieve national accreditation for primary, secondary, and tertiary-level health facilities in the public sector; strengthen physicians, nurses and paramedics through continuous medical education; strengthen the feedback loop between citizens and the state by making quality and other data accessible to the public.

Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance said that Tamil Nadu can serve as a model for how to take health system performance to the next level by investing in the public sector and offer lessons to other states. He said that it is a moment of happiness that the World Bank is helping the state in this journey…

Rs 300 per voter: Rs 1.5-cr seized from Dhinakaran’s party men at Andipatti

Unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.48 crore was seized. It was neatly packed in 94 packets and envelops on which the ward number, number of voters and the amount of Rs 300 per voter was written

The Income Tax Department Wednesday said it has caught Rs 1.48 crore money supposedly reserved to influence voters in Tamil Nadu’s Theni region, where a gathering bypoll is planned Thursday.

Unaccounted money worth Rs 1.48 crore was seized. It was flawlessly stuffed in 94 parcels and wraps on which the ward number, number of voters and the measure of Rs 300 for every voter was composed, I-T Director General (examinations) B Murali Kumar stated, after the medium-term attacks finished up at 5:30 AM.

“Every one of these wards are inside the Andipatti gathering fragment which is going to bypoll tomorrow,” the officer included. Kumar added that the premises have a place with a functionary of the AMMK party. Actually, the AMMK party office capacities from the beginning of the premises, he said. The office will send a report on the task to the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Election Commission in New Delhi, a senior authority said.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore cancelled after cash recovery

The assessment office had propelled an inquiry at a store Tuesday night following contributions about speculated money. Amid the strikes, police needed to start shooting noticeable all around to scatter supporters of the TTV Dhinakaran-drove AMMK who questioned the activity.

The duty official said the “sworn proclamation of the individual present in the premises was recorded and he said that Rs 2 crore in real money was gotten there for conveyance to voters in Andipatti panchayat association region on April 16.” Describing the raids, the official said initially a group of party workers overpowered the flying squad persons, comprising district EC authorities and I-T officials, standing guard outside the premises…

Why does India report only half the plastic waste it generates every year?

The CPCB has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to enforce the implementation of plastic waste management rules by non-compliant states

Current Affairs: Only 14 of India’s 35 regional pollution boards filed information on plastic waste generation in 2017-18, according to the latest report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Thus, the CPCB estimate of plastic waste generated in India in 2017-18–660,787.85 tonnes, enough to fill 66,079 trucks at 10 tonnes a truck–does not reflect the situation in more than 60% of India’s states and union territories.

In 2016-17 too, CPCB received these figures from only 25 regional pollution boards. The total plastic waste generation figure for that year was estimated at 1.6 million tonnes, or 160,000 truckfulls.

The CPCB has approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to enforce the implementation of plastic waste management rules by non-compliant states. On March 12, 2019, the NGT ordered all of them to ensure that reports are furnished to the CPCB by April 30, 2019. Failure is to be punished with a penalty of Rs 1 crore per month, to be paid to the CPCB, the NGT said.

India consumes an estimated 16.5 million tonnes, about 1.6 million truckfulls, of plastic annually, as per this June 2018 report in Down to Earth that cites data provided by PlastIndia Foundation, a conglomeration of associations and institutions that deal in plastic. Of this, 43% is plastic manufactured for single-use packaging material that will mostly find its way into garbage bins, the report said. In all, 80% of total plastic produced in India is discarded...

LS polls: Dhinakaran releases final list of AMMK candidates for Tamil Nadu

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam is contesting 38 of the 39 seats in the state

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) headed by TTV Dhinakaran Friday announced its second and final list of 14 candidates for the April 18 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. The list included three disqualified AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to Dhinakaran, who floated the AMMK after being sidelined in the ruling party.

The AMMK is contesting 38 of the 39 seats in the state and Dhinakaran had earlier announced candidates for 24 seats. It has alloted Chennai Central constituency to its ally Social Democratic Party of India.

On Friday, Dhinakaran released the list of the 14 candidates, including close aide Thanga Tamilselvan who has been fielded in Theni constituency. He will take on AIADMK Coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s son P Ravindranath, who is making his electoral debut.

N G Parthiban and P Palaniappan are the other disqualified MLAs who have been nominated by Dhinakaran. They will contest from Arakkonam and Dharmapuri seats respectively. Eighteen AIADMK MLAs loyal to Dhinakaran were disqualified in 2017 by Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal for revolting against Chief Minister K Palaniswami. Dhinakaran also announced the second list of candidates for the April 18 byelections scheduled for 18 assembly seats in the state, mainly caused by the disqualification of the AIADMK MLAs.

Cyclone Gaja claims 13 lives, rips through Tamil Nadu coast with heavy rain

Winds gusting upto 120 kmph uprooted trees, snapped cyclone-related and blew off roofing-sheets

Cyclone Gaja ripped through Nagapattinam early Friday uprooting trees and snapping power lines leaving a trail of destruction in coastal districts besides claiming 13 lives and flooding standing crops.The cyclonic storm crossed Tamil Nadu’s coast between Nagapattinam and nearby Vedaranyam early hours Friday, bringing in heavy rains in the coastal regions, according to a weather bulletin.

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Winds gusting upto 120 kmph uprooted trees, snapped cyclone-related and blew off roofing-sheets. According to officials, ten men and three women died and 28 head of cattle perished in cyclone related incidents despite authorities evacuating as many as 81,948 people to 471 relief centres in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Tiruvarur districts.

The storm caused heavy damage to the 16th century Shrine Basilica at Velankanni in Nagapattinam district. Due to gusty winds, the rood cross on top of the church broke and fell, Church authorities said. The church is built in accordance with Gothic architecture. Authorities said the 75-ft tall stone statue of Jesus erected in front of the ‘Morning Star Church’ in the town, sustained structural damage.Read More

Cyclone storm Gaja to cross between Pamban and Cuddalore on Nov 15

The weather department has advised total suspension of fishing operations along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Latest News|The cyclonic storm Gaja over the Bay of Bengal is expected to cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu on November 15, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).IMD’s Tuesday update stated that the cyclonic storm over west central and adjoining east-central and south Bay of Bengal moved westwards with a speed of five kmph during past six hours.

At 5.30 am on Tuesday, Gaja lay centred over Westcentral and adjoining Eastcentral and South Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.2 degree N and longitude 87.2 degrees E, about 750 km east of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 840 km east-northeast[Gaja Cyclone] of Nagappattinam (Tamil Nadu). “It is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and maintain the intensity during subsequent 24 hours. It is likely to move west-southwestwards,” IMD said.

While moving west-southwestwards, Gaja is likely to weaken gradually on November 15 and cross Tamil Nadu coast between Pamban and Cuddalore as a Cyclonic Storm on November 15, the weather bulletin said. The weather department has advised total suspension of fishing operations along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts between November 13-15.

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Maratha reservation: Sambhaji Brigade chief talks about genesis of demand

It looks like the Marathas, unconvinced about the assurances given by Devendra Fadnavis government, are upping the ante

A bandh was recently observed in different parts of Maharashtra, as part of the series of protests in the ongoing agitation of the Maratha community which is demanding reservation in education and employment sectors. Over the last two years, almost 60 silent marches have been held, all of them peaceful, except for the last few when violence broke out in parts.

It looks like the Marathas, unconvinced about the assurances given by Devendra Fadnavis government, are upping the ante.

maratha reservation 

The demand itself goes back 34 years. A leader of Mathadis (headloaders) Annasaheb Patil had committed suicide in 1982 over demands for Maratha reservation. The community, which is said to form 33% of Maharashtra’s population is the largest group in the state, enjoys a sizable representation in politics and in the sugar co-operative sector. Even several chief ministers of Maharashtra have been Marathas.

At the same time, it is relatively backward when it comes to the education and employment fronts. Now, community leaders, under the banner of several groups, have been agitating across the state and have been demanding the Other Backward Class (OBC) status along with a 16% quota.

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How this cop is saving lives by fighting fake news spread on Whatsapp

With an election due in 2019, some worry a surge of fake, politicised messages could lead to more violence, stoking broader Hindu-Muslim tensions and sparking religious riots

 

Local musicians are already singing about the evils of fake news when police superintendent Rema Rajeshwari’s convoy rolls up to the dusty village square in one of India’s poorest communities. “Don’t believe these things,” a performer cries out to the crowd.

In a dark blue cap and stiff khaki uniform, Rajeshwari climbs onto a makeshift stage in front of hundreds of villagers. She’s there to try and stop the spread of bogus WhatsApp messages in her district that warn of child kidnappers and roving murderers.

Across India, social media rumors have caused rural villagers to patrol in anxious groups on the look-out for anyone they don’t recognize. These mobs have already killed numerous people. In May and June alone, at least six people died in WhatsApp-related mob attacks in eastern Assam, western Maharashtra and southern Tamil Nadu. There’s also simmering tensions over Hindu vigilante groups who’ve targeted and killed Muslims.a

“You see these messages, these photos and videos, but you don’t check if they’re real or fake, you just forward them,” Rajeshwari tells them. “Don’t spread these messages. And when strangers come to your village, don’t take the law into your hands. Don’t kill them.”

With an election due in 2019, some worry a surge of fake, politicized messages could lead to more violence, stoking broader Hindu-Muslim tensions and sparking religious riots. The stakes are already high — Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is facing declining support, while opposition parties are planning to combine forces to take him on. Rajeshwari said she saw a spike in messages around recent state elections in the neighboring state of Karnataka, and fears more ahead of national polls.

But something surprising is happening here. Rajeshwari’s education campaign seems to be working. There’s been no fake news-related deaths in more than 400 villages under her control in the southern state of Telangana. At a time when governments around the world are grappling with fake news, Rajeshwari’s efforts offer a local antidote to a global phenomenon.

‘Violent Outcomes’

While U.S. President Donald Trump and others use the term “fake news” to discredit negatives stories, false messages are sowing chaos in India’s villages through Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp messaging service, which has more users in India than any other country.

WhatsApp spokesman Carl Woog said some use the messaging service to spread “harmful misinformation,” but added the company is trying to make that more difficult ahead of India’s next election.

“We’re working to give people more control over group discussions and are constantly evolving our tools to block unwanted automated content,” said Woog, who is based in San Francisco. “In the run up to next year’s elections we will step up our education efforts so that people know about our safety features and how to spot fake news and hoaxes.”

These bogus messages can be particularly dangerous in India, said Michael Kugelman, a senior associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington.

“This is a country where the tendency of nefarious actors to use social media to exploit deeply held societal prejudices increases the likelihood of violent outcomes,” Kugelman said. “The possibility of politicians trying to smear their opponents via WhatsApp rumors could lead to all types of nastiness and raises the specter of political violence.”

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Tamil Nadu protests: Sterlite plant non-operational after 9 dead in clashes

Protesters have alleged that the plant was polluting groundwater in their area; CM Palaniswami announced a compensation of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakh)

At least nine people were killed and another 20 injured on Tuesday on the 100th day of protest against the expansion of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin, also known as Thoothukudi.

Later in the day, Sterlite Copper said it is unfortunate of what happened on Tuesday and called itself to be non-operational, ANI reported.

Protesters have alleged that the plant was polluting groundwater in their area. Sterlite Copper represents the copper unit of Vedanta Limited which operates a 400,000 tonnes per annum-plant in Tuticorin.

Chief Minister Palaniswami said in a statement in Chennai that the protesters took out a procession towards the collectorate in defiance of the prohibitory orders clamped in the specific area in Tuticorin.

Hurling stones and setting government vehicles and public property on fire, the agitators went on the rampage in the town, about 600 km from Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.

Police said nearly 5000 protesters gathered near a local church and insisted on taking out a rally to the district collectorate after they were denied permission to march to the copper smelter plant.

Police personnel prepare to tackle a crowd as agitators demanding closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit entered the 100th day, in Tuticorin, on Tuesday. The agitation turned violent with police opening fire. Initial pushing and shoving soon led to violent clashes after agitated locals began hurling stones at police and overturned a vehicle. Security personnel used batons and burst teargas shells to break up the protest.

Many were injured in stone-pelting by the agitators, who also set some vehicles on fire. Windscreens of some government cars were smashed and bank premises were attacked by the rampaging mobs.

Police said section 144 of CrPc has been invoked in and around the Sterlite unit to provide security, according to the orders of the Madras High Court.

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I-T raids on houses, offices of Sasikala and Dhinakaran across 160 places

Offices of Namadhu MGR, Jaya TV and Jazz Cinemas, residence of Sasikala’s husband Natarajan also raided

Income-tax officials have been raiding homes and companies belonging to the jailed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala and her relatives, including TTV Dhinakaran. Both Sasikala and Dhinakaran are rivals to the ruling AIADMK faction. (IT raids on Dinakaran)

The raid started at 6 am this morning across 160 places in Tamil Nadu, besides Bengaluru, Puducherry and Delhi. These places included former Jayalalithaa’s house at Poes Garden, Dhinakran’s house at Adyar and residence of other leaders, their relatives and party functionaries, in addition to the offices of Jaya TV as well as Jaya TV’s top official and management houses . Among the companies being raided are the AIADMK mouthpiece Namadhu MGR, Jaya TV and Jazz Cinemas.

Dhinakaran’s faction alleged that this is a personal revenge against him. They also alleged that ruling faction is trying to take control of Jaya TV and Namadhe MGR.

The residence of Sasikala’s husband Natarajan in Thanjavur was also raided.

At the offices of Namadhu MGR and Jaya TV, very few staff members were present when the I-T officials raided. I-T officials also visited the residence of Dhinakaran in Adyar.