COMMUNIST party officials in India started an indefinite hunger strike yesterday demanding an official inquiry into the killings of 12 protesters shot by police on Tuesday.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) officials joined Tamil Nadu state secretary K Balakrishnan after police opened fire on thousands of people peacefully protesting against environmental damage caused by the Verdanta-owned Sterlite Copper Industry mine.

Mr Balakrishnan was detained by police after demonstrations saw roads blocked near the mine in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

The CPI (M) political committee released a statement condemning the “brutality of the state police” alleging that many of those killed or injured had bullet injuries on their heads and faces.

It said the protests occurred because of the inadequate response of the state to legitimate concerns over air pollution, water and ground contamination caused by the copper mine and demanded its immediate closure.

“All those responsible for this merciless shooting down of protesters should be held accountable and immediate legal proceedings should be launched against them,” the statement said.

Demonstrations have taken place close to the Sterlite mine for the past 100 days as concerns are raised over safety and environmental damage and Vedanta looks to expand its operations.

Roads were blocked by thousands of protesters on Tuesday when police opened fire, gunning down at least 12 people with hundreds more injured.

Mr Balakrishnan blasted authorities for their response to the demonstrations and called for compensation for all those affected and the perpetrators brought to justice.

He alleged that police fired tear gas at the crowds before opening fire and even attacked those who were admitted to hospital.

“Innocent people in and around Tuticorin are affected by police atrocities. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy must take responsibility for this brutal barbaric act. He must immediately step down … and police officers must be punished,” he warned.

He accused the “BJP-backed” Tamil Nadu government of being in the pocket of mining company Vedanta and killing its own people after they demanded the closure of the mine.

As demonstrations continued to grow yesterday Mr Balakrishnan called for more people to take to the streets in protest at “the barbaric acts of the Tamil Nadu government.”

“We call on all democratic forces to join the protests, and strengthen them,” he said.