Indian police kill 13 protesters demanding closure of copper plant

Thoothukudi, (Reuters) 24 May 2018 -    Indian authorities on Thursday cut the power to a large copper smelter run by London-listed Vedanta Resources after police shot and killed 13 people in protests against what they say is pollution generated by the plant.   

 On Tuesday, police opened fire on protesters demanding that the smelter in the port city of Thoothukudi be shut down. In all, 13 Prosteters have been killed this week.    Residents and environmental activists say emissions from the plant, India’s second biggest, are polluting the air and water, affecting people’s health.    The pollution control board of the southern state of Tamil Nadu said the smelter, which was shut pending renewal of its operating licence, was found last week to be carrying out activity to resume production without permission.