New Delhi, May 22: At least eight people have been killed and a dozen critically injured after the Tamil Nadu Police resorted to firing and lathi-charge as protests against Sterlite’s industrial plant intensified in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) on Tuesday. Residents have been demanding the closure of the plant, citing that the pollution it generates is causing serious health issues. 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. With hundreds of residents and social activists protesting, there is a heavy deployment of police in the coastal city. Personnel have been rushed from neighbouring districts of Madurai and Virudhunagar to bring the situation under control. DMK working president and Leader of Opposition M K Stalin condemned the “police atrocities” that took place during the protest on Tuesday morning.
