Thousands of protesters had assembed at Chennai's Marina beach demanding the ban on Jallikattu be lifted
Amid reports that youngsters are planning to congregate along Chennai's Marina Beach yet again to protest against what they call "recent police excess", Chennai Police has invoked prohibitory orders along the shoreline. The order prohibits assembly, protests or fasts in the beach area. Additional Commissioner (South) Shankar said "there would be no restriction for walkers and families coming to the beach".
"For more than a decade, protests, demonstrations, agitations etc. have been totally banned in the entire stretch of the Marina beach, commencing from Light House to Napier Bridge," the police said, citing a court order.
The development comes days after Chennai witnessed massive violence when the police evicted students off Marina beach stretch to clear the place for the Republic Day celebrations. Despite the state government bringing in an ordinance, the students continued their protest and demanded a permanent solution to the Jallikattu issue in the form of an amendment to the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act in the Parliament.
While the police blamed anti-social elements for the violence, several videos of police officials purportedly torching vehicles, ransacking properties, and attacking people went viral on social media. More than 100 policemen suffered injuries and around 200 people have already been arrested.
Chennai Police Commissioner S George - who initially described the videos as "morphed" - said that the cyber wing is investigating the matter and action would be taken if the videos are found to be genuine.
More than 30,000 Tamilians, mostly students, had been protesting at Marina beach for a week starting January 17 and demanded a lift the ban on the bull-taming sport of Jallikattu.