Sterlite protest: TN govt sets up panel to probe police shootout

Eleven people were killed as police opened fire at protesters in Thoothukudi

Smoke billows from burning barricades as agitators march through streets demanding the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Thoothukudi on Tuesday | PTI Smoke billows from burning barricades as agitators march through streets demanding the closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit in Thoothukudi on Tuesday | PTI

The Tamil Nadu government today appointed a one-person Commission of Inquiry headed by a retired judge of the Madras High Court to probe the violence at Thoothukudi in which ten people were killed.

The inquiry will cover the "law and order incidents following the siege of the District Collectorate by thousands of persons violating prohibitory orders," an official release here said.

Appointing retired Judge Aruna Jagadeesan for the task, the government said she would submit her report to the government. However, the time-frame for submitting the report has not been specified.

The violence during a protest, seeking permanent closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant over alleged pollution issues also saw several dozens of men and women sustaining injuries which includes police personnel as well.

According to the Thoothukudi police, eight men and two women were killed in the violence.

Hurling stones and setting government vehicles and public property on fire, the agitators went on the rampage in the town, about 600 km from Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.