The Madras High Court asked for an explanation from the Tamil Nadu government on what led to the police firing and the violent clashes over a controversial copper plant in which 13 people died last week.

The court has sought an answer from the AIADMK government on who ordered the police to open fire. and asked the government file the report in five days.

Violent clashes broke out last Tuesday in Tuticorin as the police tried to stop protesters from marching to the district collectorate. Ten people died in the violence. Later, a video showing the police taking strategic position atop a bus and shooting at the crowd below, triggered outrage. Clashes broke out again, two days later.