Tuticorin sources stated that normal life in Tuticorin was affected badly as more than 10,000 people including children and the elderly took part in a protest public meeting demanding the closure of Sterlite Industries. According to sources about 11,000 shops in Tuticorin and Srivaikuntam also downed their shutters due to the strike organized with the support of more than 50 associations and organizations.
Sources reported that people started assembling at VVD Signal in the city from 2.30 pm where the protest was organized after obtaining permission from the Madurai bench of the Madras high court. Meanwhile the crowd swelled to thousands by between 4 and 5p m and the stretch from VOC College to VVD signal was flooded with people. The meeting began as 5.30 pm and went on till late in the evening.
Moreover auto rickshaws, vans and minibuses too did not operate from 9 am.
Further production was stopped in the salt pans too and all the 12 cinemas in
the city also did not screen any show throughout the day. Meanwhile busy areas
such as the Old Bus Stand, New Bus Stand, WGC Road and VE Road in the city wore
a deserted look.
