Stalin leads protest in Tamil Nadu Assembly, DMK stages walk out over Sterlite

MK Stalin and other DMK MLAs arrived in Tamil Nadu assembly on Tuesday wearing black clothes as a mark of protest against police firing on anti-Sterlite protestors in Thoothukudi. 13 people were killed in alleged police firing during the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) last week, with the government facing flak for 'mishandling' the situation.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly began its session after a gap of over two months, in the shadow of various social and political issues, such as the anti-Sterlite protests and Cauvery water dispute.

The session was last adjourned on March 22 following the discussions on the budget for 2018-19.

Earlier, in a series of tweets, DMK chief MK Stalin had questioned as to who had ordered the police firing and why were not other means used to avoid fatal injuries.

Section 144 which was imposed last week was lifted off on Sunday and the Sterlite's copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi was permanently shut down on Monday.

In 2013, the Sterlite copper plant was fined by the Supreme Court for polluting the land and water in the area on account of a gas leak. The apex court also slammed the plant for operating without requisite permits for a considerable period of time.