Subramanian Swamy corners Chidambaram over Sterlite protest

Senior BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday asked former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's response on Sterlite protest incident.

Swamy alleged that Chidambaram had worked as a Director in the company for many years. "P Chidambaram should answer on Sterlite Protest incident, he was a paid director in the company for many years. All documents are available. He should now speak up on behalf of Sterlite," Swamy told ANI.

Eleven people died and 20 were injured in police firing after the protest in Tuticorin demanding a ban on Sterlite Industries turned violent on Tuesday.

The months-long protest demanding closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Tamil Nadu took a violent turn with agitators pelting stones and toppling police vehicles after they were prevented from marching towards the plant.

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.

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.

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.