Indian police said on Tuesday that 12 protestors had been killed after officers opened fire during a demonstration against the Sterlite Copper factory in Thoothukudi, on India’s southern coast. Owned by British-based mining giant Vedanta Resources, the Sterlite plant has come under hefty criticism over pollution concerns. A police official in Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu state, where Thoothukudi is located, told French news agency AFP: “We have confirmation of 12 people being killed in police firing. We fear the toll may rise.” He added that dozens had been injured. The incident sparked immediate outrage from opposition lawmakers in New Delhi. Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi called it “state sponsored terrorism.” ‘Police had to control the violence’ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced that he would be launching an official inquiry into the carnage, but said he supported the police. “The police had to take action under unavoidable circumstances to protect public life and property as the protesters resorted to repeated violence… police had to control the violence,” he said in a statement. He added that the victims’ families would be given one million rupees ($14,700) in compensation. Watch video 07:31 India’s trash problem Thoothukudi is no stranger… Read full this story
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