Sterlite protest: Police firing kills 9, CM urges people to keep calm

According to reports, as many as nine people were killed after police opened fire at protesters in Thoothukudi. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that the cops were forced to open fire as the protesters were involved in violence. Reportedly, the protesters torched police vehicles and vandalised vehicles parked inside the district collectorate.

Earlier in the morning, police launched a lathicharge on protesters while the latter resorted to stone pelting. The protesters attempted to lay siege to the district collectorate despite the district collector’s prohibitory section 144 order. Police launched lathicharge to disperse the protesters and used tear gas. However, they couldn’t bring the situation under control.

Political leaders in the state have condemned the police firing and slammed the government for not taking appropriate actions. DMK working president MK Stalin said that the government should’ve held talks with the protesters. VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan responded to the firing by questioning why the government wants to help the company (Sterlite) which does not care for people’s lives.

Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan and actor Rajinikanth have also condemned the shooting. Kamal Haasan issued a statement saying, “Negligence of Governments is the reason for all the unfortunate incidents. Citizens are not criminals. They are ones who lose their lives; earlier due to Sterlite and now due to the Government’s orders.” Rajinikanth also maintained that Tamil Nadu government is responsible for the violence and the loss of lives that ensued.