Tamil Nadu, May 24: On the 100th day of the anti-Sterlite agitation in Tuticorin, now called Thoothukudi, violence erupted, as police open fired at protesters. 13 people have died in it till date, and several are left injured. According to ANI reports, internet services will remain suspended for five days in Thoothukudi to avoid the spread of rumours and creating more tension in the already volatile area. The services have been suspended since 9 pm on Wednesday. So far, 67 people have been arrested for indulging in violence.

The reason why the protest turned violent was that there were reports that the Group was seeking a licence for expansion. On Wednesday, Madras High Court stayed the expansion of the plant after a petition claimed that the company was building it without the necessary permission. As per recent ANI reports, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has directed District collector of Thoothukudi to disconnect power supply to Sterlite Copper’s smelter. The Board found the unit was 'carrying out activities to resume production' despite being told not to do so until it renews its licence.

DMK will observe a statewide shut down on May 25 to protest against the killing of 13 people and the AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government. The party will also demand that Sterlite copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi be shut down permanently. They have even compared, and have drawn similarity of the incident with the massacre at Punjab's Jallianwalla Bagh, which happened nearly a hundred years ago.

Tamil Nadu police booked Kamal Haasan on Wednesday for violating the probationary orders in the violence-hit Tuticorin region. An FIR was registered against him, along with 20 members of his outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam, for breaching Section 144 CrPC -- which bars the gathering of four or more people. Section 144 has been imposed till May 25. The police chief and the District Collector of Tuticorin were transferred on Wednesday after fresh violence broke out over anti-Sterlite protests. The Tamil Nadu government further appointed a one-person commission of inquiry headed by a retired judge of the Madras High Court, Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the violence at Tuticorin.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 24, 2018 11:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).