INDIA: Nine die in environment protests

Nine people have died in clashes with police in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu amid protests against a copper smelter that residents say is causing environmental damage. The protests against the Sterlite Copper subsidiary of the Vedanta conglomerate have been going on for months in the port city of Tuticorin. Police say clashes […]

Nine people have died in clashes with police in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu amid protests against a copper smelter that residents say is causing environmental damage.

The protests against the Sterlite Copper subsidiary of the Vedanta conglomerate have been going on for months in the port city of Tuticorin.

Police say clashes broke out as a huge crowd of protesters stormed district government headquarters.

Many others are critically injured. Police said the crowd had begun throwing stones at police and office buildings, overturned cars and set several vehicles on fire.