A general strike and bandh was organised by the protestors in the southern city of Tuticorin, calling for the closure of Sterlite copper smelter unit on Monday.

The protestors are urging for permanent closure of the country's largest copper smelter, run by Sterlite Industries Ltd. Taxis, mini-buses and autorickshaws were kept off the roads and even the fishing avitivies were halted today in protests against the plant but shops in and around the Tuticorin new bus station were open as usual.

According to estimates, 11,600 out of 14,500 shops remained closed in Tuticorin city, 450 out of 800 autorickshaws stayed off the roads, 140 taxis out of 200 were kept away and 43 mini-bus services were not operated on the day.

The state authorities have already ordered the closure of the plant that produces more than 300,000 tonnes of the metal a year following complaints of pollution by nearby residents. Sterlite, which is a part of resources conglomerate Vedanta Resources, has maintained that the plant's emissions are within the agreed limits under the law.

MDMK general secretary, Vaiko has described the strike a success. He said that people forgot their political lines, caste, creed and religious barriers to join together to stand against the company.  He said that the people of Tuticorin have proved that only the might of the people can bring justice.