12 killed in anti-Sterlite protest in Thoothukudi: Home Ministry seeks report from TN govt

The Home Ministry on Wednesday has sought a report from Tamil Nadu government over Thoothukudi incident where 12 people were killed in police firing during protests against Sterlite industries. Security tightened in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) after eleven people were killed by police firing during protests against Sterlite industries. Section 144(prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area) has been imposed in the city.

The agitation against Sterlite Copper, which represents the copper unit of Vedanta Limited, recently escalated after the company announced the expansion of its unit in the city.

Sterlite Copper, which currently operates a 400,000-tonne per annum unit in the city, maintains it has received necessary permits and has not violated any norms.

Police said nearly 5,000 protesters gathered near a local church and insisted on taking a out a rally to the district collectorate after they were denied permission to march to the copper smelter plant.

Around 42 people injured in Tuesday's incident were admitted in a hospital at a hospital in Thoothukudi. While few were transferred to Tirunelveli medical college. "42 people have been admitted to our hospital till now, few transferred to Tirunelveli medical college to reduce congestion. 10 bodies are in the mortuary here. 17 surgeries have been done," Dr A Edwin Joe, Director of Medical Education told ANI.

Film superstar and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan has arrived in a hospital at Tuticorin and met people who were injured in Tuesday's incident.

DMK working president and Leader of Opposition M K Stalin condemned the "police atrocities" that took place during the protest. He is among many political leaders who have lent their voice to the anti-Sterlite protests.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami said nine people were killed in "police action" against anti-Sterlite protesters in Tuticorin, and announced a judicial inquiry into the violence. He also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased.