11 die in police firing in Thoothukodi, T.N

The residents of Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu have been protesting against the expansion plans of the Vedanta company’s Sterlite Copper smelter unit, citing the largescale water and air pollution,leading to severe health problems. Residents have been demanding the closure of the plant and numerous environmental groups and the main Opposition parties of the state,including DMK have supported the local residents and together they held a massive rally to mark the hundred days of protest.

Rally ends with tragedy

At least 11 people were killed on Tuesday, including a 17-year old minor girl and nine others critically injured after the Tamil Nadu police opened fire on the protesters who took out a huge rally to the Collectorate office on May 22^nd, inspite of the prohibitory orders. More than 60 people, including police have sustained injuries. A team of vascular surgeons have rushed in from Madurai Government Hospital to assist in the ensuing emergency.

Photo-journalists manhandled

Controlling the crowd was an impossible exercise and tear gas shells failled to do it. It was then that the order to fire was given and tragedy followed. The violent suppression of what was a peaceful protest has left many in shock. Photo-journalists who tried to do their job were also manhandled and assaulted the memory card of some seized.

The Congress party President, Rahul Gandhi called it “state-sponsored terrorism.