NEW DELHI: Indian authorities on Monday ordered the permanent closure of a controversial copper plant, which was at the centre of deadly protests last week with 13 people killed by police fire. The violence erupted when thousands marched in southern Tamil Nadu state last week, demanding the closure of the factory owned by British-based mining giant Vedanta Resources over fears that it was polluting the environment. The pollution board last week ordered that electricity to the factory – the second-largest copper smelter in India – be switched off. Last week Tamil Nadu’s high court also ruled against a request to double the factory’s annual production of 400,000 metric tonnes. A protester shot during demonstrations against a copper plant in southern India died of his injuries on May 24, officials said, the 13th victim killed by police fire.

Source: New Strait Times May 28, 2018 15:22 UTC