(Image source from: thehindu.com)

A three month long protest against Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper Unit in Tamil Nadu turned violent by decease of at least 11 people and 50 people injuring in Thoothukudi district on Tuesday.

A march towards the district collector’s office to mark the 100th day of the protests was organized to demand the shut down of Sterlite Industries Ltd’s Plant.

District collector N. Venkatesh in view of the law and order challenge issued section 144 in the area and allowed the protesters to demonstrate at a ground area near the Thoothukudi old bus stand.

Things went out of hand for the local administration when thousands of local residents marched toward the collector’s office with black flags and to stop them from entering the office premises, the police resorted a lathi charge and started firing tear gas shells resulting in mob retaliating stones and set police vehicles and Sterlite employees quarters on fire.

“Who gave them (police) permission to shoot people above the knee,” asked S. Raja, one of the protesters and member of the Anti-Sterlite Committee. He alleged that those who were killed in the firing had bullet injuries above their waist.

Following the violence, Tamil Nadu chief Minister Edapaadi K. Palaniswami held a meeting with ministers and police officials subsequently issuing a statement appealing to the people to maintain peace.

“Around 20,000 people marched towards the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi, torched police vehicles and vehicles inside the collector’s office and also pelted stones. Since protesters indulged in violence, the police had to resort to firing to bring the situation under control,” the government statement said.

The opposition and various organizations protested across the state whereas the Tamil Nadu Sangam has called for an indefinite shutdown across Thoothukudi. About 2000 police personnel were deployed across the town and in neighboring districts.

The Tamil Nadu state government announced compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to the deceased families, Rs. 3 lakh for those with serious injuries, Rs. 1 lakh for minor injuries and as well government jobs for the family members of the deceased.  

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took it to Twitter terming the “gunning down by the police as a brutal example of state-sponsored terrorism.”

He further posted, “These citizens were murdered for protesting against injustice. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these martyrs and the injured.”

By Sowmya Sangam