The Sterlite Protest is a protest against the expansion of the Sterlite Copper plant owned – by Vedanta limited in India.

Protesters who marched towards the Thoothukudi Collectorate to protest were stopped by police barricades. Some protesters marched ahead anyway, and the Tamil Nadu police retaliated with gunfire.

So far, news reports say that at least 9 people have died in the violence that ensued – some portals even claim that the actual number of deaths is 11.

Netizens and celebrities have spoken out against the violence, slamming the police for resorting to gunfire in order to control the crowd.

Rapist Ram Rahim supporters
burned down Panchkula – No firing
Karni Sena goons went on a rampage and burned down vehicles and even attacked school buses – No firing
Public protest over environmental pollution : Police shot & killed 9 !
#SterliteProtest
— IIIIIIIIII (@_NairFYI) May 22, 2018

1) #SterliteProtest is on for 100 days. Why Tamil Nadu Govt didn't hear their Concern?
2) Where was National Media in last 100 days?
3) Who gave Police the orders to open fire against Citizens? Even this did not happen in J&K against Stone Pelters
4) How Protest turns Violent?
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) May 22, 2018

Renowned South Indian actors Dhanush, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Siddharth have also spoken out against the brutality and the loss of innocent lives.

Each and every bullet in the chests of dead protestors will come back to haunt this sham of a govt in Tamil Nadu. Deepest condolences and prayers for the murdered innocents and their families. What a dark day in our history. #SterliteProtest
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) May 22, 2018

ஸ்டெர்லைட்டை எதிர்த்து போராடும் மக்களின் உணர்வுகள் மதிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.அவர்களுக்கு நீதி கிடைக்க வேண்டும்.இப்படி ஒரு சம்பவத்திற்கு காரணமானவர்கள் கண்டிக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.தண்டிக்கப்பட வேண்டும் உயிரை இழந்து வாடும் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலை தெரிவித்து கொள்கிறேன்.
— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) May 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/varusarath/status/999063866892959744