The Pattali Makkal Katchi has demanded a CBI probe into the ‘police excesses’ in the Marina in Chennai and in other parts of the State while evicting pro-Jallikattu protesters.

“We will submit our case in the Madras High Court tomorrow,” said Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, PMK Youth Wing leader.

Addressing mediapersons here, Anbumani said the police mounted a barbaric attack on the protesters. “Women were put to extreme hardship during the eviction of protesters in the State,” he added.

While noting that last week’s uprising was unprecedented in the history of Tamil Nadu, he said that it was a culmination of various events, which led to outpouring of suppressed anger as the people of Tamil Nadu have been put to hardship in the last two months following demonetisation, Jayalalithaa’s death, Sasikala’s elevation and corruption charges against the former Chief Secretary Rammohana Rao.

Alleging that fringe political groups had infiltrated into the crowd in the final days of protest, he said, “I have vital video evidence to prove that the police have torched the vehicles and hutments in front of Ice House, and the evidence will be submitted to the court. As our party has lost faith in the State Government, I am of the view that only a CBI inquiry will bring out the hidden truths behind the police role in the entire episode,” Anbumani said.

While noting that it was heartening to see the youngsters coming out and fighting for a public cause, he said that this happened after 50 years, as was seen in anti-Hindi agitation. “A new political awareness has dawned upon youngsters. People’s anger against the two Dravidian majors, who have ruled the State in the last few decades has poured out into the street in the form of protests.”

When asked whether a leader like Arvind Kejriwal could emerge from this protest, Anbumani said the protest was non -political in nature. “I don’t see any such thing.”

While condemning the construction of eight check dams in Attapadi, by the Kerala Government, the PMK leader said that work for two check dams had already commenced. “Tamil Nadu, as the lower riparian State has not been consulted, as per the Cauvery verdict. Irrigation in 2.5 lakh acres will be affected in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode if the Kerala Government proceeds with the construction,” he said.

“When freebies can be distributed at a cost of Rs. 62000 crore, why can’t the Government implement various pending irrigation schemes such as Attapadi -Athikadavu scheme in Tamil Nadu that will cost Rs. 40,000 crore,” Anbumani quipped.