Chennai cops begin evicting Jallikattu protesters from Marina
January 23, 2017 09:11
In an early morning crackdown, the police in Chennai started removing scores of protesters who were demonstrating at the Marina beach for the past one week, demanding a permanent solution for holding Jallikattu.
The crackdown comes on a day when the state assembly is expected to discuss the matter after the customary governor's address.
After the governor's address to the assembly today, the government is expected to move a bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
TV visuals showed men and women in khaki physically removing the protesters, most of them clad in black, from the sands of the famous Marina beach, signalling the end of the week-long protests that had been backed by political parties including ruling AIADMK and DMK.
A large posse of cops was deployed at the Marina beach.
The protesters, mostly students and youth, had not bought the government decision to issue an ordinance for holding Jallikattu, which was done on Saturday, and the bull taming sport held in some parts of the state.
They had vowed to carry on with their protest till a permanent solution was found to ensure the sport was held annually without any hindrance.
The police action, however, came following an early morning 'advisory' asking the agitators to end their 'disciplined and peaceful' protest as their "purpose has been fully achieved."
In Coimbatore also, students and other protesters were forcibly evicted from VOC Park ground where they have been protesting for the last six days.
The police were bodily lifting and shifting them outside the ground but they were immediately returning and occupying the earlier place.
As they were being carried away the students were chanting 'Vande Mataram' in chorus.
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