Massive clashes erupt between police, mob as Thoothukudi Sterlite protest turns violent

The 100th day of the Sterlite protest took a violent turn after local cops opened fire against protestors. The protestors were on a rally towards the district collectorate campus, despite section 144 being clamped in the town area.
Owing to the Anti-Sterlite campaigners' call for a massive protest against the operations of copper smelter here, several hundreds of protesters rallied to the collectorate campus in Thoothukudi on Tuesday, 22 May 2018. (EPS)
Owing to the Anti-Sterlite campaigners' call for a massive protest against the operations of copper smelter here, several hundreds of protesters rallied to the collectorate campus in Thoothukudi on Tuesday, 22 May 2018. (EPS)
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In retaliation, angry protestors set Thoothukudi Employee quarters on fire.
In retaliation, angry protestors set Thoothukudi Employee quarters on fire.
Massive smoke rose up from the buildings while the mob clashed with police on the streets. (EPS)
Massive smoke rose up from the buildings while the mob clashed with police on the streets. (EPS)
A section of protesters managed to sneak into collectorate and damage doors, windows and property. (EPS)
A section of protesters managed to sneak into collectorate and damage doors, windows and property. (EPS)
Police resorted to lathi charge to drive them away, said sources.  (EPS)
Police resorted to lathi charge to drive them away, said sources.  (EPS)
Over 4,000 police personnel from the nearby district have been deployed to prevent crowding proved futile, as the protesters at various areas breached the barricades and marched forward towards the collectorate.  (EPS)
Over 4,000 police personnel from the nearby district have been deployed to prevent crowding proved futile, as the protesters at various areas breached the barricades and marched forward towards the collectorate.  (EPS)
Over 4,000 police personnel from the nearby district have been deployed to prevent crowding proved futile, as the protesters at various areas breached the barricades and marched forward towards the collectorate.  (EPS)
Over 4,000 police personnel from the nearby district have been deployed to prevent crowding proved futile, as the protesters at various areas breached the barricades and marched forward towards the collectorate.  (EPS)
A large number of protesters marched towards collectorate, the police hurled tear gas in order to bring the situation under control. (EPS)
A large number of protesters marched towards collectorate, the police hurled tear gas in order to bring the situation under control. (EPS)
District collector N Venkatesh issued prohibitory order section 144 in view of the scheduled protest, while granting permission to protest only at the SAV ground near Thoothukudi old bus stand. (EPS)
District collector N Venkatesh issued prohibitory order section 144 in view of the scheduled protest, while granting permission to protest only at the SAV ground near Thoothukudi old bus stand. (EPS)
Freelance photographer Balamurugan shows his camera which was damaged by the mob during the protests.
Freelance photographer Balamurugan shows his camera which was damaged by the mob during the protests.
Camera of freelance photographer Balamurugan which was damaged by the mob during the protests.
Camera of freelance photographer Balamurugan which was damaged by the mob during the protests.
Paying no heed to the Collector's imposition, the public started gathering at Madathur, St Lady of snows church and other conjunctions to march towards collectorate demanding to stop operation of the copper smelter. (EPS)
Paying no heed to the Collector's imposition, the public started gathering at Madathur, St Lady of snows church and other conjunctions to march towards collectorate demanding to stop operation of the copper smelter. (EPS)
At Madathur, police had to resort to a mild lathicharge at Madathur to disperse the public gathering. (EPS)
At Madathur, police had to resort to a mild lathicharge at Madathur to disperse the public gathering. (EPS)
The protesters gheraoed police vehicle at VVD signal while on their way to collectorate. (EPS)
The protesters gheraoed police vehicle at VVD signal while on their way to collectorate. (EPS)
CM Edappadi Palaniswami said around 20,000 marched towards Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi and torched police vehicles and vehicles parked inside collectorate. (EPS)
CM Edappadi Palaniswami said around 20,000 marched towards Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi and torched police vehicles and vehicles parked inside collectorate. (EPS)
Local residents argue that the existing smelter has been polluting their water and air since it was established in 1996. This has allegedly caused respiratory and skin problems, fainting and other illness, especially among children. (EPS)
Local residents argue that the existing smelter has been polluting their water and air since it was established in 1996. This has allegedly caused respiratory and skin problems, fainting and other illness, especially among children. (EPS)
Vedanta Sterlite’s copper smelter unit in Thoothukudi, which is held liable for polluting the ambient air and water, claimed on Thursday before Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) Appellant Authority that it was a non-polluting industry and the consent-to-operate renewal application was rejected, based on inaccurate and cooked-up grounds by the pollution board. (EPS)
Vedanta Sterlite’s copper smelter unit in Thoothukudi, which is held liable for polluting the ambient air and water, claimed on Thursday before Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) Appellant Authority that it was a non-polluting industry and the consent-to-operate renewal application was rejected, based on inaccurate and cooked-up grounds by the pollution board. (EPS)

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