NEW DELHI – At least nine people were killed as police opened fire on protesters who turned violent on Tuesday demanding the closure of Vedanta Resources-controlled copper smelter plant in Tamil Nadu state of southern India.
According to media reports, the residents of the port city of Thootukudi in Tamil Nadu state and environmentalists were demonstrating against one of India’s biggest copper plants for more than three months, alleging that it was a major source of pollution and a risk to fisheries.
The government appealed to the protesters to remain calm and a promised to take legal action against the plant administration, announcing to form a judicial commission over the matter.
Home minister of the state, Palaniswami told media that the police had to take action under unavoidable circumstances to protect public life and property as the protesters resorted to repeated violence.
Thousands of local residents have been protesting for more than three months against the Sterlite copper smelting plant and its reported expansion.
Protesters complained that the state government had not responded to their demands.
They had intensified protests demanding the closure of the plant after reports came in that the group was seeking the license for expansion as the initial 25-year license comes to an end.
About 20,000 people gathered at the protest site today and stormed the district collector’s office, destroying the government property.
