Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday expressed grief over the death of people during anti-Sterlite Plant protest in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, while adding that MHA has taken cognisance of the situation and has sought a report.

In a series of tweet, Rajnath said, “I am deeply pained at the loss of precious lives during the agitation at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. The MHA has taken cognisance of the situation and sought a report on the incident and the prevailing situation from the state government”.

“My thoughts are with bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. I appeal to the people in Tuticorin to remain calm and maintain peace and tranquility in the region,” Home Minister added in another tweet.

I am deeply pained at the loss of precious lives during the agitation at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. The MHA has taken cognisance of the situation and sought a report on the incident and the prevailing situation from the state government.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 24, 2018

My thoughts are with bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. I appeal to the people in Tuticorin to remain calm and maintain peace and tranquility in the region.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 24, 2018

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday defended state police action during the anti-Sterlite Plant protest saying “when someone hits you, you naturally tend to defend yourselves. So on such situations, no one acts in a pre-planned manner”.

The Tamil Nadu government has also ordered suspension of internet services in Tuticorin and adjoining districts of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari for five days, starting 23 May, to prevent spread of rumours through social media.

Noting that anti-social elements were trying to exploit the situation, the government directed nodal officers of Internet Service Providers in the three districts to suspend internet services till May 27.

The government issued the order invoking the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, saying there was a situation of “public emergency” which necessitated the immediate action to bring “public tranquillity”.

Meanwhile, DMK leader Stalin, who was holding a protest outside Tamil Nadu secretariat, has been detained by the police.

Several other leaders were detained too. The DMK and other Opposition parties in the state have also called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on May 25, condemning the police action against protestors.