Chennai: Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notices to the chief secretary, Director General of Police, Government of Tamil Nadu and Chennai police commissioner about police excesses on peaceful protesters protesting in favour of jallikattu.
On the basis of media reports, NHRC in a statement stated that the police "damaged private property in order to disperse a large number of people gathered at landmark places in Chennai."
"It has taken a serious view of the unprovoked police excesses and has issued notices to the CS, State DGP and CoP calls for reports on the matter within two weeks," it said. The commission has observed on the basis of media reports that unprovoked police action amounts to violation of human rights.
"The people of Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chennai, had been conducting protests over a week, demanding conducting of 'jallikattu', a sport associated with 'Pongal' festival reflecting Tamil culture. All through, the protest was peaceful. The protectionists at Marina Beach never exceeded their fundamental right," it noted.
Dial, complain to SHRC
Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission has asked victims of Monday violence unleashed in Chennai and other places in state to lodge complaints with the commission. In a communication, registrar, (Law), SHRC, R.N. Man-jula, has asked the people to lodge complaints of violence, including police lathi-charge, on the jallikattu protestors and others in the state on Monday.
The people affected by the violence can dial SHRC to lodge complaints. The people can dial phone numbers 044- 24951492 and 2495 1484. Fax the complaints to number- 044-2495 1486 or mail to shrc@tn.nic.in
