Normalcy restored in TN,NHRC notice to govt on police 'excess'

Normalcy today returned at the Marina here and elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, a day after violence broke out following the police crackdown on pro-jallikattu protesters even as more than 100 people were arrested in connection with the incidents.
Buses, autos and taxis were plying as usual and there were no untoward incident reported from anywhere, police said.
Additional police pickets were posted in sensitive areas here, especially the Triplicane locality abutting Marina Beach, the epicentre of the week-long protests, and Alanganallur in Madurai.
In related developments, the national and state human rights forums took suo motu cognisance of alleged police excesses during the crackdown and issued notices to the government.

Police said over 100 people were arrested in connection with yesterday's violence when sections of the protesters fought pitched battle with the police here while being dispersed from the Marina. More than 90 police personnel were injured in the violence.
The arrests were made for allegedly indulging in rioting, arson, stone pelting, torching of vehicles and unlawful assembly, police said.

Chennai, which was badly affected yesterday with road blockades and suspension of bus services in the aftermath of the violence, returned to normalcy much to the relief of common man.
"Most of the small group of protesters who had yesterday refused to disperse from Marina Beach have left with only some continuing to stay put," a senior police official told PTI.

Civic workers are working in full swing to clean up the beach area in view of the coming Republic Day celebrations.
Traditionally, Republic Day parades happen on Rajaji Salai along the beach.
There were reports of distribution of sweets and bursting
of crackers in parts of the state after the passage of the Jallikattu bill.
Video messages were aired by some protesters thanking the public for their support to the stir.
Meanwhile, PMK sought a CBI probe and a judicial inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court Judge into the police action if the Tamil Nadu Government does not order an inquiry.

The PMK said it would approach the Madras High Court to establish 'rule of law and uphold justice', a party release said.
Meanwhile, the fish hawkers of Nadukuppam Fish Market here, which was razed down in yesterday's riot, said they had lost their precious produce and urged the government to intervene.
National Human Rights Commission said it has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that "police, without any prior caution, resorted to beating, arresting and damaging private property" in order to disperse the large number of people who had gathered at landmark places in support of jallikattu.
"A serious view has been taken of the unprovoked police excesses and 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," NHRC said.

"The Commission has observed on the basis of media reports that unprovoked police action amounts to violation of human rights," a release said.
Similarly, the SHRC has asked the DGP to submit a report within four weeks. It has also directed the state to set up a sub-committee of senior officials to assess the situation in riot affected areas and give a report in two weeks.
Chennai Police Commissioner S George had yesterday said that anti-social elements had "crept" into the pro-Jallikattu protests here, which turned violent.
As many as 94 police personnel sustained injuries while 51 police vehicles were damaged in the violence, he had said.

A report from Madurai said jallikattu would be held at Avaniapuram in the district on February 5 in which about 500 bulls and 300 sportsmen would take part.
Village Committee officials at Alanganallur and Palamedu, two other popular venues for jallikattu, had already announced that the bull-taming sport would be held there on February 1 and 2, respectively.
(reopens MDS10)
Meanwhile, following a direction of the SHRC, a team of officials including a senior police officer today inspected the riot-affected areas here.
Earlier, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had asked the state DGP to submit a report on the matter, within four weeks.

The Commission had directed setting up a sub-committee of senior officials to assess the situation in riot-hit areas and give a report in two weeks.