Chennai: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notice to Tamil Nadu on the “unprovoked police action” during protests in Chennai over the Jallikattu issue.
The NHRC has sent notices to the chief secretary, director general of police, government of Tamil Nadu and Chennai police commissioner calling for reports on the matter within two weeks.
In a statement, the NHRC said that it has taken, “suo motu cognizance of media reports” and said, “…police, without any prior caution, resorted to beating, arresting and damaging private property in order to disperse a large number of people gathered at landmark places in Chennai in support of Jallikattu.”
The Tamil Nadu state assembly on Monday evening passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Bill, 2017, to allow Jallikattu. Earlier in the day, the police forcefully evicted protesters gathered on the Marina beach, leading to arson and violence across Chennai.