New Delhi, May 23 (IANS): The CPI-M on Wednesday demanded "immediate legal proceedings" against those who ordered firing on protesters in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu.

"All those responsible for this merciless shooting down of protesters should be held accountable and immediate legal proceedings should be launched against them," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said in a statement.

It said that the enquiry announced to probe "these brutal killings" should be headed by a sitting judge of the Madras High Court.

Ten people were killed and dozens injured in mob fury and police firing in the Tamil Nadu town during protests against the Sterlite Copper Industry on Tuesday. Another person was killed in police firing on Wednesday morning.

"The brutality of the police is revealed by the fact that many of those killed and injured have bullet injuries on their heads and faces," the CPI-M said.

"The protests arose because of the inadequate response of the state administration to the genuine apprehensions of the people concerning air, water and ground contamination," it said, and demanded that the plant should be shut down permanently.