Anti Sterlite Protest: Explain circumstances leading to firing - Madras HC to govt

The Madras High Court on Friday asked the Tamil Nadu government to explain the circumstances leading to firing in Thoothukudi in which 13 people lost their lives.

The people of Thoothukudi had been protesting against Sterlite industries for months. The protesters were demanding a ban on the Sterlite Industries alleging it was polluting groundwater and various environmental hazards. 

However, the protests took a violent turn on May 22 when police opened fire on the protesters, which has killed 13 people and left 102 injured so far. 

The court has sought a reply from the state government by June 6. 

Earlier this week, the Tamil Nadu government ordered the closure of Sterlite plant, endorsing the closure direction of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the state government directed the board to seal the unit and close the plant permanently.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Director General of Investigation to constitute a four-member team to look into deaths in police firing during anti-Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi.

The case has been transferred the case to the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID).

(With agency inputs)