Anti-Sterlite Protest: CPI(M) is also demanding the shut down of the Sterlite Copper unit in Tuticorin.
A person was killed in Tuticorin as police opened fire at protesters demanding the closure of Sterlite copper plant in the port city, a day after 10 people were killed in similar clashes. Several others were injured in today's fresh firing as the month-long protest took a violent turn on Tuesday. Actors-turned-politicians Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth came out in support of the protesters. The two leaders also visited the people injured at the General Hospital. The Madras High Court stayed the expansion of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit a day after the Tuticorin violence killed 10 people. Sterlite has been planning to build a second plant with aims to double production capacity.
The ruling AIADMK government issued appeals for calm and a promise to take legal action against the plant. The opposition DMK compared the use of force by the police to the massacre at Punjab's Jallianwalla Bagh by the British nearly a hundred years ago. The CPI(M) joined the protesters in demanding the shut down of the Sterlite plant. The Congress party called the violence a failure of the AIADMK government, and said that the "state government and state police should be held responsible for this massacre".
Congress president Rahul Gandhi had earlier called the police action "state sponsored terrorism". The gunning down by the police of 9 people in the Sterlite Protest in Tamil Nadu, is a brutal example of state sponsored terrorism. These citizens were murdered for protesting against injustice," he tweeted.
Here are the updates on the Anti-Sterlite protests:
Tamil Nadu government to suspend internet services in Tuticorin and adjoining districts from tonight, in an attempt to check escalation of violence following death of 11 people in police firing.
Congress Leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Says State Government Must Held Responsible For Tuticorin Violence
"State government and state police should be held responsible for this massacre," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said. "There is no compensation for lives lost. There should be support instead of compensation. Also, I demand enough money to be given to the injured. The state should take measures to shut down the plant," he said.
National Human Rights Commission Sends Notice To Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Police Chief
"It appears that the authorities probably failed to foresee the tragic violence which took place," adding that "effective precautionary measures and deployment of adequate number of police personnel may have possibly averted the unfortunate incident," the NHRC said in a statement, according to news agency PTI.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Says Tamilians Being Killed For Not Surrendering To RSS
"Tamilians are getting killed by the bullets of PM Modi because we are not surrendering to RSS. My brothers and sisters, don't worry. I am with you" Rahul Gandhi said in tweet in Tamil.
CPI(M) Demands Sterlite Copper Plant Be Shut Down Immediately
"The protests arose because of the inadequate response of the state administration to the genuine apprehensions of the people concerning air, water and ground contamination. The Politburo demands that plant should be shut down immediately. The state government should hold talks with all stake-holders," the CPI(M) said in a statement, quoted by news agency PTI
Fresh police firing on anti-Sterlite plant agitators today, one person killed, and several others injured, police officials said according to news agency Press Trust of India. The body of the man killed in firing, and those injured have been rushed to a government hospital.
"I condemn politicisation of the Sterlite issue and failure of the government. I condemn the use of inhuman and excessive police force. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones," actor-politician Rajinikanth says.
On anti-Sterlite violence, Amnesty International says "excessive use of force cannot be justified," calling it a "damning indictment" of Tamil Nadu government's determination to crush the protests. "The Tamil Nadu police have many questions to answer. Those responsible for deaths and injuries caused to protestors must be brought to justice," an official at Amnesty International India said.
Sasikala Pushpa, AIADMK lawmaker and former mayor of Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation, calls police firing on protesters a "gross human rights violation". (File photo)
"We must know who ordered this firing. It is not me but the victims who are demanding this," Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan said after meeting people injured during the anti-Sterlite protest, news agency ANI reported.
Retired judge Aruna Jagadeesan has been appointed by the Tamil Nadu government to probe the anti-Sterlite violence at Tuticorin in which 10 people have died.
Merely announcing compensation isn't a solution and people who ordered the firing must be identified, Kamal Haasan was quoted saying by ANI after he met the injured people at General Hospital.
Madurai bench of Madras High Court stays construction of a new copper smelter by Sterlite industries in Thoothukudi , news agency ANI reported.
Kamal Haasan has arrived at General Hospital in Thoothukudi to meet people who were injured in yesterday's protests.
News agency ANI reported that the Home Ministry has sought a report from Tamil Nadu government over the Thoothukudi incident where 10 people were killed yesterday in police firing during protests against Sterlite industries.
In a series of tweets this morning, DMK chief MK Stalin raised questions about who had ordered the police firing on protesters.
The government of E Palaniswami continued to come under fire for the deaths of anti-Sterlite activists in police action yesterday. The opposition DMK compared the use of force by the police to the massacre at Punjab's Jallianwalla Bagh by the British nearly a hundred years ago - raising questions if the cops had shot to kill.
Superstar Rajinikanth and actor-politician Kamal Haasan have lent their support to the protest in the past, echoed the sentiment, blaming the government for ignoring "peaceful protests".
The Sterlite plant, which can produce 400,000 tonnes of copper a year, has been shut for more than 50 days pending permission from the state pollution regulator due to alleged non-compliance with pollution rules.
Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan will visit Thoothukudi first, where 10 people were killed in police firing during protests against Sterlite industries, news agency ANI reported.
In a video released by news agency ANI, a cop in plainclothes is seen armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle and had been seen in photographs, taking aim. A voice in the background says "At Least 1 Should Die" and the policeman fires .