Chennai, May 23 (Deccan Chronicle): Day after 11 people were killed in anti-sterlite protest in Tamil Nadu, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday stayed Sterlite Copper's expansion in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin).

The company had filed an application in February this year to obtain environmental clearance to expand its plant in the coastal city.

The expansion would have entailed doubling of the capacity of the smelter to 800,000 tonnes per year.

The agitation which entered the 100th day on Tuesday, saw 15,000 people march towards the collectorate demanding closure of the plant.

Sterlite Copper, the business arm of Vedanta, began operations in the Tuticorin nearly two decades ago. It also runs two copper rods plants in Silvassa in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli - one in Chincpada and another in Piparia.

There are several petitions pending in courts against Sterlite Copper’s operations in Tuticorin.