Vested interests infiltrated Jallikattu protests, will face legal action: TN CM

CHENNAI: Making a statement on the Jallikattu protests and the Marina mayhem, Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam assured the State Assembly Friday that the cops used "minimum force" to disperse the "anti-national" and "anti-social" elements and "extremist forces" to ensure the safety of the life and properties of the public.

"Anti-national, anti-social and extremist forces infiltrated the protests launched by Jallikattu enthusiasts, students, youngsters and the general public. Without allowing the protesters to disperse, these forces acted against the democratically elected government diverting the attention," Panneerselvam told while replying to leader of opposition MK Stalin's demand for a judicial commission in the House during Zero Hour.

Osama's picture

Showing photocopies of a picture of Osama Bin Laden and placards having defamatory slogans/statements including the one reading-OPS died just now-carried by the protesters in Marina, the CM said the police received information that the people from certain organisations had planned to prolong the protests till January 26 and show black flags to harm the Republic Day celebrations.

He added that the protesters also deviated from their main objective to raise slogans seeking a permanent law on Jallikattu, Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar issues and boycotting foreign trade, besides demanding Republic Day be observed as Black Day and cried for a separate Tamil Nadu.

Explaining the context in which the police had to disperse the protesters, Panneerselvam said, "Although they resorted to violence by assaulting the cops, torching/damaging police vehicles and police personnel in order to harm the life and properties of the public, the police, by observing utmost restrain, made these forces disperse by using minimum force to maintain law and order and protect the life and properties of the public without resorting to either firing or caning."

Saying that the anti-social elements played spoil sport in the victory celebrations of the protesters following the ordinance, the CM informed the House that 142 police personnel and 138 protesters were hurt in the violence that erupted in Chennai city, of them 68 cops and 41 protesters are still undergoing treatment.

As many as 23 government vehicles, including 19 police vehicles, and 29 vehicles belonging to the civilians were set on fire while 60 other vehicles were damaged, he said.

215 persons arrested

According to Panneerselvam, "As many as 66 cases were registered in connection with the violence in Chennai and 215 persons were arrested, apart from booking 114 cases regarding road and rail blockade."

In places other than Chennai, 146 persons were arrested. Twenty seven police men, 4 transport corporation employees and 19 protesters were injured in violence, he informed.

Announcing that probe has been held on the violent attacks, the chief minister asserted that the vested interests, who resorted to violence by diverting the protests, would be identified during the course of investigations and must be subjected to action, as per law.

Action on erring cops

The chief minister also assured a thorough inquiry and subsequent action against police excesses as alleged by several political parties.