CHENNAI: Seeking to contain the fall-out of last week’s large scale violence, the State government announced setting up an inquiry commission headed by a retired High Court judge to probe into the reasons and circumstances behind the trouble in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore.
The commission would also investigate allegations of police excesses, and submit the report within three months, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
Opposition parties have pressed either for an inquiry commission headed by a sitting judge of the High Court or a probe by the CBI.
Making his first ever statement under Rule 110 of the House, he said the government has decided to withdraw cases registered against 36 students immediately considering their future.
In all, 312 people were arrested in Chennai in connection with the violent incidents that took place on January 23, while the number was 175 in other districts.
The Cyber Crime Wing of the Chennai City Police, under the direct supervision of city police commissioner, is scrutinising the videos showing police personnel setting fire and engaging in violence. “If involvement of police personnel in illegal activities are confirmed, stringent action will be taken,” Panneerselvam asserted.
On the terms of reference for the inquiry commission, the Chief Minister said the panel would go into the reasons and circumstances that led to the law and order problems and the damages caused to public and private properties due to it.
The commission would also inquire whether the police personnel used appropriate force required for the situation and whether there were police excesses. “If so, the commission would recommend the action to be taken and make recommendations for preventing recurrence of such incidents,” added Panneerselvam.