The police claimed they fired after protesters started throwing stones at them.
Highlights
- Kaliappan, an anti-Sterlite protester in Tuticorin, hurt in police firing
- The 22-year-old was declared dead when he was brought to the hospital
- "He's acting," cop seen saying in video as Kaliappan lay on the ground
A young man lay prone on the ground, apparently after being shot, as policemen surrounded him. On video, one of the policemen is prodding him with a stick as he barks: "Stop acting, go away!" 22-year-old Kaliappan, who was among the hundreds protesting against a Sterlite plant at Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin, died of his gunshot wounds shortly afterwards.
The video shot by a local reporter also had more than one policeman staring at the inert man and saying, "He's acting".
Kaliappan was declared dead when he was brought to the government hospital in Thoothukudi.
A dozen people have been killed in police firing on protesters over the last two days. Ten people were killed on Tuesday and yesterday, two more, including Kaliappan, died in firing by policemen.
The police chief and the district collector of
Tuticorin were transferred yesterday.
The police claimed they fired after protesters started throwing stones at them.
Internet has been shut down for five days in Tuticorin because of the profusion of videos posted by angry locals after the clashes and deaths in police firing.
The videos allegedly show police high-handedness in handling the protests.
(Disclaimer: Content in this video could be disturbing for viewers)
One video released by news agency ANI showed a policeman taking position on the top of a bus and preparing to shoot. In the background, a voice is heard -- "At least one should die". Seconds later he fires the first shot. The opposition DMK compared the firing to the 1919 Jalianwalla Bagh massacre when the British opened fire on a peaceful gathering.
The protesters are demanding that Sterlite's copper smelting plant be shut down because it is contaminating the air and water of the region.
People have alleged that the plant was responsible for breathing disorders, skin diseases, heart conditions and even cancer.