Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed the deaths of several people in police firing during protests against the Sterlite copper plant in Tamil Nadu a “brutal example of state sponsored terrorism.”
“The gunning down by the police of 9 people in the Sterlite protest in Tamil Nadu is a brutal example of state sponsored terrorism. These citizens were murdered for protesting against injustice. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these martyrs and the injured,” Mr. Gandhi said on Twitter.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has ordered a judicial inquiry into the police action.
The police action followed months-long protests for the closure of Vedanta’s Sterlite copper unit in Tuticorin over pollution concerns. The agitation turned violent on Tuesday, with protesters fighting pitched battles with police, prompting it to open fire.
