Jallikattu protests: Retired judge to probe alleged police excesses

OPS makes his first Rule 110 announcement following opposition outcry

: Days after various political parties including the principal opposition DMK demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged police excesses while dispersing pro-jallikattu supporters on January 23, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Tuesday announced that a retired Madras High Court judge would soon be appointed to probe the violent incidents.

The Commission would go into the reasons and circumstances surrounding the law and order issues in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and other areas, Mr. Panneerselvam said in a suo motu statement in the floor of the State Legislative Assembly.

This is the first statement he has made under Rule 110 since he took charge as Chief Minister following Jayalalithaa’s death.

Besides looking at the damage caused to public and private properties as a result of the unrest on January 23 and whether the police used excessive force to disperse the group of protesters, the Commission would also make recommendations to the government on how to avoid such situations in the future.

“The Commission would be advised to submit its report in three months,” Mr. Panneerselvam added.

Stating that the cyber crime wing was examining video footage allegedly showing the involvement of some police personnel in torching vehicles, the Chief Minister said, “If it was found that police personnel were involved in such activities, stern action will be taken against them.”

Facelift for Nadukuppam

The Chief Minister added that a temporary fish market would be set up within two days at Nadukuppam in Chennai. The fish market in the locality was gutted during the violence and locals alleged that some police personnel had set fire to it.

“A permanent and modern fish market would be set up at a cost of ₹70 lakh by the Greater Chennai Corporation,” he added.

Referring to the visit of Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar and officials to the affected areas, he said, “Officials would undertake site inspections in the affected areas, and based on the estimates, relief would be provided to the fishermen.”

Eariler in the day, the Madras High Court directed the State government to file a status report on a PIL seeking reconstruction of the Nadukuppam fish market, which was entirely torched during the January 23 violence in the city.