As Thoothukudi remains tense after 12 people were killed in a police firing on Tuesday, a fresh video footage shows the alleged police brutality in the area. The visuals aired by Manorama News show the police personnel break open houses and rough up people including women and children.
Another visual shows a policeman being beaten up by the mob.
Twelve people were killed on Tuesday as police opened fire at protesters who were marching towards the Thoothukudi Collectorate demanding the closure of Sterlite Copper Smelter Plant in the area.
The district witnessed widespread violence on Wednesday. Internet services have been suspended in Thoothukudi and adjoining districts of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari till May 27 to prevent spread of rumours through social media.
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The state government is likely to seek the assistance of central forces if the situation remains volatile in the district. The government on Wednesday transferred Thoothukudi District Collector N. Venkatesh and Superintendent of Police P. Mahendran as the port city remained tense after the violence.
Meanwhile, the DMK and other opposition parties in Tamil Nadu have called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on Friday, condemning the police action against protesters.