Tamil Nadu: DMK calls for all-party protest on May 25 over Anti-Sterlite protests

The DMK on Wednesday has called for an all-party protest on May 25 over the matter where 11 people were killed in police firing during protests against Sterlite Industries.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government over the situation in Thoothukudi where 12 people were killed yesterday in police firing during anti-Sterlite protests.

The residents of Thoothukudi have been demanding the closure of the Sterlite Copper Smelter for the past 100 days and had decided to take out a march before the Tuticorin District Collectorate on Tuesday.

Several battalions launched black flag protests across Tuticorin only to be faced by strong resistance from the Tamil Nadu police. The police reportedly resorted to lathi charge, and the use of tear gas and water cannons to disburse a furious crowd. The protestors responded to the police resistance by pelting stones at them and setting vehicles on fire en route to the march. The staff at the District Collectorate was evacuated as the protests intensified.