Tuticorin Protest LIVE: One More Feared Dead in Police Firing as Sterlite Stir Continues

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has canceled his vacation and he is leaving for Chennai after the Tuticorin incident

DMDK chief Vijayakanth writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for permanent closer of Sterlite Copper plant in Tamil Nadu

The Union Home Secretary has spoken to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary over the violence in Tuticorin that has resulted in the death of 11 people. The Centre said it is ready to send more force if any needed. 

One more feared dead in police firing as Sterlite stir continues

A case has been filed against Kamal Haasan for visiting Thoothukudi‬, despite section 144 being imposed in the area

Rajinikanth tweets an video message on Thoothukudi‬ Violence | "I offer my condolence to the families of victims of the protests. I condemn the firing in Thoothukudi‬." At least nine people were killed in police firing during the Thoothukudi protest demanding the closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant over pollution concerns.

#SterliteProtest pic.twitter.com/XPKov0Ln2O

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 23, 2018

Chief Minister of Puducherry V.Narayanasamy took to Twitter to express his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives during the Thoothukudi‬ violence. 

1)Firing that took place at the innocent people on their agitation relating to closure of #Sterlite plant at #tuticorin where more than 11 people killed is a very unpardonable & brutal incident which cannot be condoled.#SterliteProtest #TamilNadu #Thoothukudi #TNJallianwalabagh

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) May 23, 2018

2)This kind of crushing democratic agitation by the #TamilNadu Government is Barbaric. Police itself is evident from the bullets fired at the chest & face of the agitators. Impartial Judiciary enquire by sitting High Court Judge should be appointed immediately.#SterliteProtest

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) May 23, 2018

3) I condole the death of innocent agitators. My sympathy for thier family and state Government should adequately compensate at the family of the deceased.#SterliteProtest #Thoothukudi #TamilNadu #TNJallianwalabagh

— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) May 23, 2018

Two Police buses were set on fire by protestors in Thoothukudi‬ violence. At least nine people were killed in police firing during protest demanding the closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant over pollution concerns.

Madurai bench of Madras High Court stays construction of a new copper smelter by Sterlite industries in Thoothukudi.

Retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan to Head Inquiry Committee | Retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan has been appointed to head the one-member inquiry committee set up by the government to probe into the Thoothukudi incident where 11 people were killed in police firing during a protest demanding the closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant.

Kanimozhi calls Thoothukudi‬ incident a cold-blooded Murder | In a conversation with CNN-News18, Kanimozhi reacts to the incident at Thoothukudi‬, where nine people were killed in police firing during a protest demanding the closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant over pollution concerns. "This is murder by the govt..what was the need for police and govt to open fire..to water or tear gas was used..it is cold-blooded murder."

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that more than ten persons were killed in police firing on anti-Sterlite protestors when their three-month-old agitation turned violent on its 100th day in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu on the 22nd May, 2018. Reportedly, the protesters attacked the Collectorate building and the police personnel posted there, leaving a few cops injured and some vehicles torched. Thereafter, the police retaliated with firing. The fleeing protesters were reportedly chased down and beaten up by the police. The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu calling for detailed reports in the matter along with the status of the treatment being provided to the persons who have been injured in police firing. The response is expected within two weeks. 

Home Ministry asks Tamil Nadu govt to provide details of Thoothukudi‬ Incident  | The Centre on Wednesday asked the Tamil Nadu government to provide details of the incident at Tuticorin, where nine people were killed in police firing during a protest demanding the closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant over pollution concerns. Union Home Ministry officials said the ministry is in touch with the state government over the developments in the port town in the southern state. The home ministry has asked the state government to provide details of the incident at Thoothukudi‬, an official said.

'Why Were Automatic Weapons Used to Disperse Crowd?': Stalin on Thoothukudi Police Firing | DMK working president MK Stalin came down heavily on the state government led by Palaniswami for failing to contain the anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi that left at least 11 people dead in alleged police firing on Tuesday. Stalin wanted to know why were protesters not forewarned. “Who ordered the police firing on protestors? Why were automatic weapons used to disperse the crowd and under what law is this permitted? Why were rubber/ plastic bullets or other means NOT used to avoid fatal injuries? Why was no warning given before firing?”tweeted Stalin.

@CMOTamilNadu , why did you or your representatives NOT meet the protestors during the last 100 days? Why was the protest not resolved by your govt during this time? What steps have you taken to allay the environmental concerns of residents of Tuticorin? #SterliteProtest

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 23, 2018

Tuticorin’s Sterlite Plant No Stranger to Controversy, Had Faced Closure Once  | The violence over Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi, or Tuticorin as it is more commonly known, in which at least 11 people were killed on Tuesday in police firing was not the first time that the unit has captured national headlines for all the wrong reasons. Sterlite Copper, previously called Sterlite Industries, is part of Vedanta Ltd, which is a subsidiary of the UK-based metal conglomerate, Vedanta Resources. It is mainly involved in mining copper in Tuticorin. The city unit includes a smelter, a refinery, a phosphoric acid plant, a copper rod plant and three captive power plants. The plant was set up in 1997. Locals, as well as environmental rights groups, say that the unit is a major source of local groundwater and air pollution and that the smelter has caused severe environmental damage to the area.

Tuticorin factory currently non-operational: Sterlite Copper | Sterlite Copper today said its factory in Tuticorin district is currently non-functional and the company is awaiting approval from the authorities to resume operations at the site. Sterlite said the facility has been shut since March 27 when the company took up annual scheduled maintenance.The firm's application to renew its licence to operate the copper smelter facility was rejected by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Expressing sorrow at the loss of lives, Sterlite in a statement said it has appealed to the government to ensure the safety of employees, facilities and the surrounding communities. "The Sterlite Copper plant is currently non-operational as we await approval for the consent to operate," it said.

Vedanta Shares Hit Over 10-Month Low as Sterlite Protests in Tuticorin Turn Violent | Shares of Vedanta Ltd fell to their lowest since July 5, 2017, after at least nine people were killed in the southern state of Tamil Nadu when police fired at violent protesters calling for the closure of a copper smelter run by parent Vedanta Resources Plc. Demonstrations against the copper plant, one of India's biggest, have been going on for more than three months, with protesters alleging that it is a major source of pollution and risk to fisheries. The smelter, run by Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit, is controlled by Vedanta Ltd, a majority-owned subsidiary of London-listed Vedanta Resources. Environmental activists and some local politicians want the government to shut the plant permanently.

Locals have been protesting for quite some time now against the expansion activities of the Sterlite plant and have alleged that the plant was polluting ground water in their area.

MDDMK Chief condemned Tuticorin Violence | MDMDK Chief Vaiko too condemned the attack on protesters.  Sterlite Copper represents the copper unit of Vedanta Limited which operates a 400,000 tonnes per annum-plant in Tuticorin.  In a statement, the company expressed regret over the day's incidents. "It is with great sorrow and regret that we witnessed today's incidents around the protest at Tuticorin. The company has appealed to the government and authotities to ensure the safety of our employees, facilities and the surrounding community. The Sterlite Copper plant is currently non-operational as we await approval for the Consent to operate," it said.

Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam has condemned the police firing in Tuticorin | Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam has condemned the police firing in Tuticorin. “The peaceful protest by the people of Tuticorin against Sterlite, demanding justice was ignored by the governments. Negligence of the governments is the reason for all the unfortunate incidents. Citizens are not criminals. They are the ones who lose their lives; earlier due to Sterlite and now due to the government’s orders. Everybody should maintain peace,” said party chief Kamal Haasan. 

Rajinikanth on Thoothukudi‬​ Violence Says Tamil Nadu Government Responsible for Death of Innocent People | Rajinikanth also condemned the Tuticorin violence against Vedanta's Sterlite copper unit in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi and wrote in a tweet, “This government does not respect the sentiments of the people. Its lackadaisical ways have led to the deaths of innocents. The government is responsible for the death of these innocent people.”

மக்களின் உணர்வுகளை மதிக்காத இந்த அரசின் அலட்சியப்போக்கின் விளைவாக இன்று பொதுமக்கள் சுடப்பட்டு உயிரிழப்புகள் ஏற்பட்டிருப்பது மிகவும் வருந்தத்தக்கது, கண்டிக்கத்தக்கது.நடந்த வன்முறை மற்றும் பொது ஜன உயிரிழப்புகளுக்கு தமிழகஅரசே பொறுப்பு.

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 22, 2018

Rahul Gandhi Called Tuticorin Violence Example of "state-sponsored terrorism" |  Congress President Rahul Gandhi called the Tuticorin violence an example of "state-sponsored terrorism". He tweeted: "The gunning down by the police of 9 people in the #SterliteProtest in Tamil Nadu, is a brutal example of state-sponsored terrorism. These citizens were murdered for protesting against injustice. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of these martyrs and the injured."

The gunning down by the police of 9 people in the #SterliteProtest in Tamil Nadu, is a brutal example of state sponsored terrorism. These citizens were murdered for protesting against injustice. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of these martyrs and the injured.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 22, 2018

MK Stalin Blames AIADMK's Govt for Tuticorin Violence | Taking to Twitter, DMK's working president MK Stalin said: “AIADMK Government is responsible for the violence in Tuticorin. They never bothered to find a solution to the people’s problem in that area. They were negligent. I strongly condemn the government for not providing adequate security despite knowledge of the protests beforehand. In the wake of these protests, Tamil Nadu government should immediately ensure closure of Sterlite plant.”

Tamil Nadu government's statement | According to the statement by the Tamil Nadu government, the plant was in operation in Meelavitan in Tuticorin for the past 20 years. Following a gas leak in March 2013 in the plant, the then chief minister, the late J Jayalalithaa ordered its closure, following which the company moved the National Green Tribunal against the state government. The company later moved an Appellate Authority against this and the next hearing is slated for June 6, it said, adding, the TNPCB counsel had strongly argued against operations in the plant. The government said it was committed in respecting people's aspirations and was working towards it. Several political parties hit out at the AIADMK government with opposition DMK saying the state government was responsible for the clash. 

Some vehicles inside the Collector’s office were also torched by the angry mob. With the situation being extremely tense, police have called for additional reinforcements. Over 2,000 police personnel have been rushed to Tuticorin from nearby districts to bring the situation under control. "The police had to take action under unavoidable circumstances to protect public life and property as the protesters resorted to repeated violence... police had to control the violence," Palaniswami, who holds the Home portfolio, said. "I was grieved to know nine persons were unfortunately killed in this incident," he said, and expressed his sympathies and condolences for the families of those killed. Locals have been protesting for quite some time now against the expansion activities of the Sterlite plant and also demanding the closure of the plant. Protesters have alleged that the plant is polluting groundwater in the area. Police said section 144 of CrPc has been invoked in and around the Sterlite unit to provide security to the unit as per the orders of the Madras High Court.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami Says 'Cops Forced to Fire' | Palaniswami has ordered a judicial inquiry into the violence while also announcing a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and jobs for the next of kin of the deceased. Injured persons would also be given a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each. The protesters were seen pelting stones and toppling police vehicles after they were prevented from marching towards the Sterlite plant. They even tried to gherao the Collector’s office as well as the plant. Police officials resorted to lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the crowd. As the violence soon went out of control, police opened fire on the protesters leading to several deaths. About 20,000 people took out a procession towards the district collectorate and the copper plant with the intention of picketing them, demanding for its permanent closure, and resorted to violence, a government statement said.

11 Killed in Police Firing During Violent Protests Against Sterlite in Tamil Nadu | Protests against Vedanta's Sterlite copper unit in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi took a violent turn on Tuesday with at least 11 people being killed in alleged police firing. Thirty others were left injured as a mob of 20,000 people went on a rampage here demanding the copper unit be shut down because it has been polluting the area. Chief Minister Palaniswami confirmed that nine people have been killed in police action at Tuticorin while sources say the toll has gone up to 11. Palaniswami has ordered a judicial inquiry into the violence while also announcing a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and jobs for the next of kin of the deceased. Injured persons would also be given a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each.