Tuticorin violence: Madras HC seeks Tamil Nadu govt explanation on firing by June 6

The Madras High Court (HC) on Tuesday asked the Tamil Nadu government to explain by June 6 the situation that led to the police firing and the violent clashes over a controversial copper plant in which 13 people died last week.

On May 22, police opened fire on protesters agitating against the expansion of the Sterlite Copper plant in Tuticorin, killing 13 people, including two women.

Meanwhile, Human rights experts from the United Nations have also condemned the apparent disproportionate use of force by the police against protesters in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, over health and environmental concerns arising out of the Sterlite Copper smelting plant, which led to the death of 13 people. 

The court asked Tamil Nadu police not to disturb the families of the missing people against whom complaints have been registered, in the name of enquiry.