Sterlite Protest: Neta Kamal Haasan booked for violating Section 144 in violence-hit Tuticorin

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan was booked by Tamil Nadu police on Wednesday for violating the probationary orders in the violence-hit Tuticorin region. He visited the hospital to meet Sterlite protest victims despite the imposition of Section 144.

An FIR was registered against Haasan, along with 20 members of his outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam, for breaching Section 144 CrPC -- which bars the gathering of four or more people.

Haasan and his supporters visited the hospital in Tuticorin where the anti-Sterilite protesters, injured in police action on Tuesday, are being treated.

After meeting the injured in the hospital, Haasan demanded the closure of the unit and asked who ordered the police to open fire at the protesters.

"We must know who ordered this firing. It is not me but the victims who are demanding this. Merely announcing compensation isn't a solution. This industry must be shut and this is what people are demanding," the Makkal Needhi Maiam chief said.

Security has been tightened in Thoothukudi and Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area) has been imposed in the city after clashes turned violent on Tuesday, killing at least 11 persons and injuring over 65. So far, 42 people have been admitted to the hospital and few have been transferred to the Tirunelveli medical college to reduce congestion.