"'Will decide way forward': Sterlite plant on top court's order to keep it shut", 19 February 2019

Sterlite Copper on [18 February] said it would go through in detail the Supreme Court order, setting aside the NGT directive to reopen its plant at Tuticorin and consult its legal team before deciding on the future course of action.

The Supreme court refused to allow reopening of Vedanta's Sterlite plant, which was at the centre of massive protests over pollution concerns, but granted it liberty to approach the Madras High Court against the Tamil Nadu government's order to shut it down...

Tuticorin district collector...welcomed the judgement and said the plant would remain shut as per the government's decision...An activist of the anti-Sterlite movement, welcoming the top court order...said it has brought ''relief and solace'' to people in Tuticorin.

Those in favour of the company being reopened however said they would collectively move the Madras High Court...Tuticorin Contractors Association President...said the top court verdict was an "unexpected decision". "We are all locals and have not experienced anything like what has been alleged...". [He also] said those dependent on the plant have suffered a lot...

At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22 last year when police had opened fire on a huge crowd of people, protesting against environment pollution being allegedly caused by the factory. The Tamil Nadu government had...ordered the state pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following [the] violent protests...