Shares of copper and aluminium producer Vedanta Ltd fell as much as 6 per cent to Rs 253.75, their lowest since July 4, 2017.
London-listed parent Vedanta Resources Plc says it is working with regulators to expedite restarting its copper smelter in Tamil Nadu, after nine people were killed on Tuesday when police fired at violent protesters calling for the plant's closure
Demonstrations against the copper plant, one of India's biggest, has been going on for more than three months, with protesters alleging that it is a major source of pollution and risk to fisheries.
Vedanta Ltd stock was the top percentage loser on the NSE metal index. Rival Hindustan Copper Ltd gained as much as 7.4 per cent to Rs 73.75.
Vedanta stock had fallen 18.2 per cent this year as of Tuesday's close, compared with the index's 8.8 per cent fall. Vedanta Resources shares fell as much as 2 per cent to 826 pence in early trading in London.
Nine people were killed on Tuesday when police opened fire on protestors at a demonstration at Thoothukudi in southern Tamil Nadu to demand the closure of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper unit.
Over 20 people, including policemen, were injured in clashes that erupted when over 20,000 people gathered for the 100th day of the protests against the copper smelting unit. People in the villages around the factory accuse the unit of polluting the environment.