Jallikattu row: CM has assured to review cases against students, says Actor Lawrence

Chennai: Jallikattu supporter and actor Raghava Lawrence on Sunday spoke with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam about students being booked over the recent stir for the bull taming sport and said he has assured to look into the matter.

"It will be fair to take action against those who instigated and indulged in violence and not against students," he told reporters here after calling on Panneerselvam at his residence.

Along with other supporters of Jallikattu, he visited Panneerselvam and thanked him for amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 paving the way for holding the sport in Tamil Nadu.

Lawrence said students did not indulge in violence or any improper behaviour till the protests lasted at Marina Beach.

He said he appealed to Panneerselvam to release students "if they had been arrested over alleged participation in violent incidents and withdraw cases filed against them."

The actor, who actively supported the recent agitation, said the "Chief Minister assured that if cases had been filed against students, who did not indulge in violence, it will be looked into."

Asserting that students and general public were not involved in violence, he asked "Tell me, will students set fire to a police station?"

Section of protesters, who fought a pitched battle with police on January 23 after being asked to disperse from Marina, had set fire vehicles in front of the Ice House Police Station, damaging the front portion of the building also.

More than 200 persons had been arrested in connection with the violence.

Stating that students did not raise 'objectionable' slogans against either Panneerselvam or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the said several radical demands were made from other sections who had congregated in the Marina beach to join the protest seeking nod for jallikattu.

He also said the state government should bear the cost of medical treatment for students who were injured in the violence. "The CM has assured that it will be considered."

He said he also had sought a suitable date from the Chief Minister to celebrate the "victory of protests" held by students.