Two groups of villagers clashed in Puducherry on May 8 after heated arguments during a public hearing on the expansion plan of a pharmaceutical firm, prompting police to make a lathi-charge and use tear-gas to disperse them.
 

The clash broke out as the residents of the Periya Kalapet were divided over the plan of Strides Sashun Drugs, which has a unit in their village. A section of residents who attended the hearing opposed the proposal saying it would cause environmental pollution and affect their lives, while another group backed the company. With the issue snowballing, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, who was petitioned by an opposition AINRC MLA, said status quo would prevail and asked the Industries Secretary to look into all aspects and hear concerns of all.

Earlier, trouble started as the villagers engaged in heated arguments during the public hearing convened by District Collector Satyendra Singh Dursawat, who abruptly called off the meet. Following this, the clash broke out and the police swung into action. Police said a sub-inspector was injured in his leg when a section of the villagers hurled stones and he has been hospitalised. Meanwhile, AINRC legislator Ashok Anand petitioned Bedi expressing his protest against the plan of the drug firm.

The Lt Governor, in a whatsapp message to mediapersons, said she has asked the Industries Secretary Parthibanto examine all aspects of the issue and hear out all the concerned sections. "Till then, we shall maintain status quo," she said. AIADMK MLA A Anbalagan also said there should be no permission for the expansion of the drug company till the concerns of the villagers were addressed. Puducherry Director General of Police S K Gautam and Deputy Inspector General of Police V J Chandran visited the injured sub-inspector at the hospital, officials said.