Chennai: Puducherry police registered a case against 28 persons including former minister Kalyanasundaram in connection with the violence that broke out at the public hearing on the expansion of a pharmaceutical unit at Kalapet here.
The public hearing organised by the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee on the expansion of Strides Shasun Limited at Thavamani marriage hall at Kalapet turned violent following clash between two groups -one in support of the expansion and the other opposing it, pointing to environmental concerns.
A group of people led by former minister Kalyanasundaram staged a demonstration in the hall, disrupting the hearing. Police resorted to a lathi charge and burst tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Two police officers were injured in the incident.
On a complaint from Kalapet sub-inspector Sivaprakasam, police registered cases against 28 persons. Heavy police pickets have been posted as the area remains tense. Police has recommended to the District Collector to clamp prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in the Kalapet area to prevent any untoward incidents.
The Federation for People's Rights demanded here on Wednesday, a judicial probe into the incidents that took place on Tuesday including the police lathicharge and lobbing of tear gas shells. A detailed complaint will be lodged with the National Human Rights Commission in this regard, said G Sugumaran, secretary of the federation.
At the same time Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said that the expansion plan of the pharmaceutical company would be kept in abeyance for the time being. She had sought a report from the secretary to Government (Environment), P. Parthiban on all aspects of the process.
