Anti-Sterlite protest: 11 killed in police firing in Tamil Nadu, CM announces compensation

At least 11 people were killed on Tuesday after months-long protests for the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Tuticorin over pollution concerns turned violent with agitators fighting pitched battles with police.

Hurling stones and setting government vehicles and public property on fire, the agitators went on the rampage in the town, about 600 km from Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.

Sterlite Copper is a unit of Vedanta Limited which operates a 400,000-tonne per annum capacity plant in Tuticorin.

#WATCH: Clash between Police & locals during the protest held in Tuticorin demanding ban on Sterlite Industries, in wake of the pollution created by them in #TamilNadu. pic.twitter.com/s5j2dH9J8o

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018

Initial pushing and shoving soon led to violent clashes, after agitated locals began hurling stones at police and overturned a vehicle. Security personnel used batons and burst teargas shells to break up the protest.

Many were injured in stone-pelting by the agitators, who also set some vehicles on fire. Windscreens of some government cars were smashed and bank premises were attacked by the rampaging mobs.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has announced compensation of Rs 10 Lakh each for those killed during a protest and Rs 3 Lakh each for those injured.

Palaniswami also announced government jobs for the family members of the deceased. The incident will be probed by an inquiry commission.

"My heart is filled with grief on knowing about the loss of lives of eleven persons in Tuticorin district today. My condolences to each one of the bereaved families," said Governor Banwarilal Purohit in a statement.

"At this critical hour, I appeal to all sections of society to be calm and help in maintaining the peace in the state,"  he added.

Actor Rajnikanth also took to Twitter and slammed the AIADMK.

He said, "Tamil Nadu Government's inaction is responsible for the violence in Tuticorin. Tamil Nadu Government should take the responsibility for the loss of life, and violence in Tuticorin." 

Condemning the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led State government for the unrest and the deaths, Kamal Hasaan's Makkal Needhi Maiam blamed the government for the unrest in the state.

The party in its statement said, "The peaceful protest by the people of Tuticorin against Sterlite, demanded 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."

Meanwhile, DMK Working President said that he will not be attending HD Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony 

"I am not going to attend Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy'sswearing-inn ceremony tomorrow. I cancelled it due to the incident which took place in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin)," Stalin said

(With agency inputs)