Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu is on the boil after thousands of protesters clashed with the police on Tuesday leaving at least eleven dead and more than 30 injured. The agitators were demanding the closure of Sterlite Copper,
an industrial plant charged with generating pollution. The protesters had gathered outside the collector’s office
and allegedly went on a rampage, destroying public property. Police opened fire and resorted to lathi-charge resulting in casualties. A cop in plain clothes armed with an assault rifle was recorded firing at the protestors from the roof of a bus.
Sterlite Copper is a subsidiary of the UK-based Vedanta Resources. It was fined Rs 100 crore by the Supreme Court in 2013 for flouting green norms after locals complained of breathing problems. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu govt has appealed for peace and has announced compensation for the victims.
