Jallikattu violence: NHRC issues notice to Chennai cops

It has taken a serious view of the unprovoked police excesses and has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Government of Tamil Nadu and Chennai Police Commissioner calling for reports in the matter within two weeks.

The Commission in a statement said it has observed on the basis of media reports that unprovoked police action amounts to violation of human rights.

The people of Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai, had been conducting protests over a weak demanding conducting of 'Jallikattu', a sport associated with 'Pongal' festival reflecting Tamil culture. All through, the protest was peaceful. The protectionists at Marina Beach never exceeded their fundamental right, read the statement

"The visuals on television news channels show that police set on fire the huts, autos, motor cycles, vegetable shops on streets and other properties in internal streets in Chennai," the statement said.

"Bleeding students ran for their life. Police even entered into the houses and started beating people indiscriminately. The police blocked the major routes leading to Marina Beach as well as Chennai city," it said.

As images on social media went viral showing cops beating up women and torching autorickshaws, Chennai Police Commissioner S George has refuted charges against his force, saying the video appears to be morphed.

"It is ridiculous to blame the police. We have given the video footage to our cybercrime wing for analysis," The Times of India quoted him as saying.

One of the videos posted on social media network showed policemen chasing and hitting a woman who was standing at a door.

This is one of the many videos shared on social media, in whoch Chennai policemen were purportedly involved in acts of violence  during their action against Jallikattu protesters on Monday.

In more videos tweeted by actor Arvind Swamy and others, a policewoman is seen setting fire to an auto, a group of policemen set fire to a row of auto-rickshaws and policemen repeatedly strike a two-wheeler lying on its side.

One video tweeted by DMK lawmaker J Anbazhagan has women alleging that the police broke into their house and burnt down shops at a fish market.

Protests to demand the return of Jallikattu, banned under a Supreme Court directive, took a violent turn on Monday  after the police forcibly removed thousands from Marina Beach, the cnetre of the Jallikattu campaign.

Image:wikimediacommons