THOOTHUKUDI: A minor sulphuric acid leak was detected at a godown of Sterlite copper plant here, closed by government last month following violent protests in which 13 people were killed in police firing, but a senior official said there was no need to panic and it would be plugged.
"There is no need to panic about the sulphuric acid leak as it is very minor and will be plugged," District Collector Sandeep Nanduri said There was no impact on the public due to the leak, he said and urged people not to believe in rumours.
He said experts from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, officials from departments of Labour and Revenue, and police inspected the unit on getting information and found a small quantity of sulphuric acid was leaking from the godown.
Thirteen people were killed in police firing on May 22 and 23 when violence broke out at the protest by locals, demanding closure of the plant over pollution issues.
The state government subsequently issued an order for "permanent closure" of the operation of Sterlite plant.