The Jallikattu protest that remained peaceful for a week in Tamil Nadu turned violent with protesters throwing stones at the police following the latter’s action to evict them from the Marina Beach.

In a street in Triplicane are near Marina Beach protesters in large numbers threw stones at the police which retaliated with baton charge. Protesters assembled at several places leading to the Marina and started hurling stones at the police.

The police used teargas shells and fired in the air to disperse them.

The eviction comes after the protest across the State entered the seventh day.

The police action came as the Assembly met here today with the Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao’s address. The police physically pulled out the demonstrators sitting at the protest venue.

In Coimbatore

In Coimbatore, police personnel pounced on a protester who stood up with a kerosene canister and threatened to self-immolate. They were successful in taking away the inflammable liquid.

In Madurai the protesters remained adamant and the police were trying to convince them to disperse.

The eviction comes a day after the state government organised Jallikattu in several places following the promulgation of an ordinance enabling the same.

However, the protesters demanded a “permanent” solution – amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by the Central Government taking out bulls from the list of performing animals.

In Chennai

The police, who arrived at the Marina on Sunday night, urged the protesters this morning to leave. vacate Marina which was not heeded to. When they refused to leave, police evicted them by physically lifting the protesters.

The police also lathicharged the crowd. However, women and children were spared. The protesters ran towards the sea, stood there holding hands and raised slogans. All routes to the Marina Beach has now been cordoned off.

At Tirunelveli

Agreeing to police requests, protesters in Tirunelveli called off their protest and left the venue.

In Madurai, however, the protesters have decided to continue with their agitations. Talks are still continuing.

After the promulgation of the ordinance P. Rajasekhar, President of the Jallikattu Pathukaapu Peravai appealed to the protesters to call off their agitation.

‘Hip-Hop Tamizha’ Adhi, a rap musician whose song support of Jallikattu attracted the protesters, also distanced himself from the protest as ‘it was moving in a different direction’.

While the protesters vented their anger against the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) across the state, slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam were also raised in several places.

Some of the placards they held were vulgar and indecent and some even demanded a separate Tamil land.

On Monday the Southern Railways announced full cancellation of 16 trains and partial cancellation of seven trains.

Meanwhile DMK Working President M.K. Stalin condemned the police action.

However, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said his party was withdrawing its plans to hold Jallikattu on January 26 as the State Government has passed an ordinance.