Anti-Sterlite stir: 13 dead, public property worth Rs 10.2 million damaged

Delhi High Court today will likely hear a Tamil Nadu-based advocate's petition pleading NHRC to visit Thoothukudi district and conduct an inquiry into the anti-Sterlite protest on its own

Current Affairs News: At least 13 people had died and 102 others were reported injured by Thursday in the anti-Sterlite protests in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi as the death toll kept increasing. Further, vehicles worth Rs 10.27 million were damaged and burnt down during the protests.

"A total of 13 people have died, including 11 men and 2 women. 102 people have been injured out of which 19 are severe cases. Vehicles worth Rs 1 crore 27 lakh have been burnt down," said Shailesh Kumar, IG (South Range), while talking to news agencies.

At least 67 people have been arrested until now for indulging in violence and damage to public property.

Meanwhile, Vedanta Resources' chairman on Thursday expressed sorrow over the deaths during the protests and said that the company wants to continue with the business and is committed to the community and people of Thoothukudi.

Vedanta Resources Plc Chairman Anil Agarwal has expressed his sorrow over the anti-Sterlite protests in which 13 people have died. He said that he was in pain over the ongoing protest in Thoothukudi.

"I am very sad to hear the incident. This was absolutely unfortunate, my full sympathy with the family. The plant is closed because of an annual shutdown and we are waiting for clearance from the court and the government to re-start the plant," Agarwal said.

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday said it was taking steps to close down the Sterlite factory at Thoothukudi after 13 people died when the police opened fire on protesters who were demanding the factory’s closure.

Advocate G S Mani on Thursday filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the deaths of protesters during the anti-Sterlite rally at Thoothukudi. The petition also sought a registration of an FIR against Thoothukudi collector, superintendent of police and other police officials.

A Tamil Nadu-based advocate named Sabrish filed a petition in Delhi High Court on Thursday pleading the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to visit Thoothukudi district and conduct an inquiry into the anti-Sterlite protest on its own. The court is likely to hear the petition on Friday.

The NHRC had on Wednesday asked the state chief secretary for a report over the killings during the protest.

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