Twitter
Advertisement

After violence, Tamil Nadu passes Bill to allow Jallikattu; over 100 people injured

The Bill was proposed by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam

Latest News
article-main
A protester throws bottles at police personnel in Chennai on Monday.
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Violence gripped the state capital on Monday even as the state Assembly unanimously adopted a Bill to replace the ordinance paving the way for holding Jallikattu. The Bill was proposed by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

All through the day, incidents of arson were reported in several parts of Chennai. Offices and other establishments closed early as the city was tense. Police had to resort to lathi-charge and use water cannons and burst tear-gas shells to disperse agitators in some places.

Over 100 persons, including agitators and police personnel, suffered injuries, police sources said. In a few areas, the police arrested several agitators.

The number of protesters at the Marina beach, which had touched 50,000-1 lakh two days ago, came down to just 5,000 on Monday morning as most protesters stayed away following the Chief Minister’s statement that the Bill would be passed. By evening, they numbered just 2,000. Also, the main protesters, farmers in Madurai district, called off the stir and announced February 1 as the date for Jallikattu.

In the evening, a group of lawyers and a retired high court judge, Hariparanthaman, explained the nuances of the Jallikattu ordinance and the Bill to protesters at the beach.

Throughout the day, assurances that the Bill would be introduced in the Assembly and passed immediately fell on deaf ears. Attempts by the police to evict protesters from road, rail roko venues in various parts of the state were met with stiff resistance. Late on Monday night, the police managed to convince the organisers of rail roko at Sellur to call off protest. Train services in this area were disrupted for five days.

The Vivekananda House police station was set afire and 15 vehicles were damaged. Also, near the Marina, a number of huts were razed to the ground.

Incidents of stone-throwing took place in Chennai, particularly near the Marina and East Coast Road, where a large number of IT companies are located.

Meanwhile, several caveats were filed in the Supreme Court on Monday seeking prior hearing if pleas challenging the new Bill come up for consideration.

Madurai also witnessed incidents of arson as rail roko for the fourth day on Monday, and train services in several parts of Tamil Nadu were affected. Protests were held on the Vaigai riverbed. A train was stopped on the Vaigai river bridge five days ago, and it continued to be stationary there due to the protests.

At Alanganallur in Madurai, a key centre of the annual Jallikattu event, protesters refused to vacate the venue, leading to a scuffle with the police. The Tamukkam ground in Madurai also witnessed scuffles between protesters and the police.

Even as schools and colleges reopened in Tamil Nadu after four days, violence erupted at several places near many colleges in Chennai.

At Erode in western Tamil Nadu, the windshield of a state transport corporation bus was smashed, and a van carrying soft drinks was attacked. Police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the arsonists.

A group of protesters who assembled inside the district court in Trichy called off their sit-in after police personnel held talks with them.

On Sunday, the protesters wanted the event to be held around Pongal day, but criticised the government for not allowing it. Armed with the ordinance two days ago, the state government tried to hold the event, supervised by more than a dozen ministers in various parts of the state, but the organisers did not allow it, demanding a permanent solution and not an ordinance. Panneerselvam was insulted and forced to leave Madurai for Chennai on Sunday.

The police strategy on Monday was to remove women from the venues first and forcing the male protesters to clear the areas.

The Marina protesters, who are distinct from farmers-led Jallikattu organisers, realised late on Monday that they couldn’t continue the stir, but believe that they can resume their agitation once the issue comes to the Supreme Court (SC) again.

It is likely that the state government move would be challenged in the SC. The SC stay order is still in force.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement