The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday evening unanimously passed a Bill that will replace the jallikattu ordinance.
Protesters assured the police that they will disperse from the Marina Beach once they get a signed copy of the ordinance.
Protests are called off in Ramanathapuram, Madurai's Tamukkam Grounds, Coimbatore VOC Park and Tiruchi's Anna Nagar link road.
Protests against ban on jallikattu on Monday turned violent as police evicted supporters of the bull sport on Chennai's Marina Beach and elsewhere in Tamil Nadu.
Protesters fought pitched battles with police at several pockets in Chennai, especially around the Marina Beach from where thousands were evicted, and blocked roads at various parts of the city.
Follow updates on the vehicle traffic situation in Chennai here .
In a statement, the authorities request the "participants to leave the Marina in the same peaceful and disciplined manner."
The updates:
Alanganallur protesters evicted
Violence breaks out in Alanganallur on Monday after a group of local youngsters resort to stone pelting following the forceful eviction of around 200 protesters, who refused to call off the protest, despite majority of the village deciding to conduct Jallikattu on February 1.
Tamukkam grounds protest withdrawn
After prolonged talks with police since Monday evening, few organisers of the protest declared that the 8-day long demonstration at Tamukkam grounds is withdrawn. — S. Sundar reports
Policeman on security duty killed by jallikattu bull
An armed reserve police constable V. Sankar, 29, on security duty is gored to death by a bull at a jallikattu in Kansapuram village in Virudhunagar district.
He was declared brought dead at a private hospital in Madurai. Over 100 bulls took part in the bull taming event. - S. Sundarreports
Police request protesters at Tamukkam grounds to disperse
Police issue an advisory over the public address system requesting the protesters at the Tamukkam grounds to clear the place as it is an unlawful assembly. Stating that the protesters had stocked petrol bombs and stones amidst the crowd, an officer issued the first warning around 6 p.m., asking them to disperse. — S. Sundar reports
Police chase away onlookers on Tamukkam grounds.
Sellur protesters evicted from railway birdge
A last attempt to persuade the protesters on the Sellur railway bridge in Madurai failed, according to the police.
As some miscreants starting pelting stones, the police lathicharged the bystanders and protesters on the river bed to chase them away. Those camping at the railway line were also evicted. The railway line has been cleared now nearly after a week. — Pon Vasanth Arunachalam reports
Some of the locals who were evicted from the Sellur railway bridge block a nearby road and pelt stones at the police.
Another engine arrives to tow the train, halted at the bridge since last Tuesday, towards Madurai junction.
Actor Rajinikanth, in a tweet, appealed to pro jallikattu protesters to end their demonstration as, he said, some ant-social elements were trying to lend a bad name to their peaceful protest.
South-bound trains to run as per schedule
The earlier press release issued on Monday on cancellation/diversion of trains stands cancelled, according to a press release issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer, Southern Railways which was communicated later in the evening.
As the agitation has been called off by the jallikattu protesters, all South-bound trains will run as per schedule in the normal route with immediate effect, the statement said.
South-bound trains to run as per schedule
Retired High Court Judge Hariparanthaman explains the nuances of the jallikattu ordinance and Bill to protesters on the Marina Beach.
Assembly passes Bill
The State Assembly unanimously passes a Bill that will replace the Jallikattu ordinance. The Bill was proposed by Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Pro Jallikattu activists Rajasekaran, Rajesh, Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi and a few other activists were invited to watch the Assembly proceedings.
Also read: Tamil Nadu ordinance to permit jallikattu: an explainer
Jallikattu Peravai President Rajasekaran addresses the media after attending the special Tamil Nadu Assembly session, in Secretariat on Monday.
On the Tamukkam grounds , the protesters are likely to be addressed by Retired High Court judges Chandru and Hariparanthaman. Police have stationed over half a dozen empty TNSTC buses as a precautionary measure near the protest venue. Protesters complain that police are attempting to arrest them. — S. Sundar reports
The Sellur railway bridge in Madurai, where a group of protesters have been camping for the past few days, remains tense. Police are mobilising the strength to prevent any untoward incident. — Pon Vasanth Arunachalam reports
Police chase away bystanders and protesters in the riverbed below Sellur railway bridge.
Zubeda Hamid says over 100 people, both police and protesters, were admitted to various government hospitals in Chennai.
RJ Balaji speaks from Marina
Actor 'RJ' Balaji, one of the prominent faces of the protest, speaks on the Marina:
Whatever happened today is unfortunate, he says and appeals to students to withdraw the protest.
He said:
"Because this was a leaderless protest, the one disadvantage was there were several separate groups. Though all of us wanted the ban on jallikattu be lifted, people started coming up with different demands.
"There are some elements in the crowd... who indulged in violence. Students' protest was peaceful.
"Police have assured me that they will enable students to leave peacefully. Those on Marina have assured that they will leave once they see a signature on the Ordinance."
Students block buses in Erode
Violence was reported in Erode. Protesters indulge in pelting of stones, while police resort to lathi charge.
Protesters vandalise a van carrying soft drinks at the Erode main bus stand.
Protesting students block buses at the main bus stand, smash the windshields of a TNSTC bus.
Police beat protesters who refuse to vacate at Erode main bus stand on Monday.
In the meantime, the train that was stopped on the Vaigai river bridge is still standing there for the fifth day. People are shouting slogans against PETA in front of the train.
Tiruchi protesters end sit-in
A group of protesters who assembled inside the district court call off their sit-in after police personnel held talks with them, reports S. Ganesan
MRTS services continue to remain suspended. Suburban trains are running in Arakkonam and Chengalpattu line.
For more updates on Chennai traffic:
Marina protest called off
Those who started the pro-jallikattu protests six days back have said they are withdrawing their protest on the Marina.
"It will take a couple of months for the Centre to give a finality. So we will withdraw protests and continue after two months, if we are not satisfied," a protester said.
Central forces could be deployed in State
The Ministry of Home Affairs says it is monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and that Central forces could be deployed in the State.
Vehicles that were parked in front a police station in Triplicane were set on fire.
Students fought only for jallikattu: Raghava Lawrence
T.K. Rohith reports:
"I was happy to see the crowd each day. All of us want jallikattu to happen. Students' support was tremendous and the whole world was talking about it. Their parents also joined in. And, this was an absolutely non-violent process for seven days. Students fought only for jallikattu to happen. We told the government and they went to Delhi. Till the time students were involved, this was very peaceful," says actor Raghava Lawrence.
Man injured in police action in Coimbatore
Wilson Thomas reports:
Vignesh, who resides near the New Bus Stand on Mettupalayam Road, has been injured in police action. Police personnel allegedly pushed him out of a moving car.
Pro-jallikattu protesters being taken away from VOC Park grounds in Coimbatore.
First group of protesters who squatted at Tamukkam on Sunday night have told police of withdrawing the protest following the assurance given by State government, reports S. Sundar.
Raghava Lawrence addresses a gathering on Marina beach
We have got victory, says Raghava Lawrence talking to a section protesters on the Marina Beach. "This day should be celebrated. This is not the day to protest. The Tamil Nadu Governor has said a permanent solution has been given."
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is reconvening at 5 p.m. today to take up the Bill that will replace the Ordinance on jallikattu, says Speaker P. Dhanapal.
Jallikattu held at Kumulur
Jalikattu was held at Kumulur near Tiruchi on Monday. Seven persons were reportedly injured at the event.
RJ Balaji, Raghava Lawrence appeal to protesters
RJ Balaji, who has been vocal against the ban, appealed to protesters to not indulge in any kind of violent activities. "The police has been of so much support over the last few days for us. People should not indulge in such violent activities and take away what was a peaceful protest. We are already victorious and have got what we asked for. Please go home."
Actor Raghava Lawrence, who was present on the Marina Beach from day one appealed to protesters "to celebrate."
"The government is going to pass the legislation today. So don't protest anywhere. We need to celebrate at Marina today and not protest."
Police personnel were stationed on all roads leading to Marina beach on Monday.
Bill to replace Ordinance on jallikattu to be placed in Assembly: Governor
Observing that a “mass movement” and “spontaneous outpouring of emotion” paved the way for the lifting of the ban on jallikattu, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said a bill to replace the Ordinance would be “placed” by the State government in the Assembly “immediately.”
Police lathi charge at Alanganallur
It's riot-like situation in Alanganallur, says Pon Vasanth Arunachalam . Police charge at protesters, mostly outsiders. Some local women, who were standing in support of student protesters were removed from the protest venue.
Vehicles near Ice House Police Station torched
Vehicles were torched near the Ice house Police Station in Chennai, reports R. Sivaraman . Tamil TV channels showed police personnel, mostly women, being evacuated from the station.
Police also lathi charged protesters who were seen pelting stones at them.
Alanganallur jallikattu on Feb. 1
Pon Vasanth Arunachalam reports:
Though a small group of youngsters, predominantly outsiders, continue to sit on protests at Alanganallur, the majority of villagers have called off the protests.
Village committee just met and announced that they will conduct jallikattu on February 1 at Alanganallur with the cooperation of district administration. The committee thanked all the young protesters for their "phenomenal victory."
However, a small group of locals, mostly women, continued to stand with the protesters. They have formed a protective ring outside the group of protesters as police block access to the crowd.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin criticised the police action on protesters on the Marina Beach demanding the lifting of the ban on jallikattu and a permanent solution for holding it.
“It is condemnable that instead of holding talks with peaceful protesters, it has been attempted to end protests using police with an authoritarian mindset,” Mr. Stalin, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said in a statement.
He also dubbed the action as “anti-democratic.”
On the Marina Beach, as a preventive measure, a Fast Interceptor Boat of the Coast Guard has been deployed with helicopter for aerial surveilance.
Police arrest pro-jallikattu protesters from VOC Park grounds in Coimbatore on Monday.
Raghava Lawrence breaks down
Meanwhile, film personality Raghava Lawrence, who has been actively taking part in the pro-jallikattu protest has released an emotional video in Facebook.
In the video, Lawrence tells in Tamil that he was not allowed by the police to enter the Marina Beach to meet the protesters. "I wanted to meet them (protesters), explain to them what this Ordinance means and urge them to leave," he says adding that he got calls from women volunteers that they are being beaten up by the police.
Updates from Tiruchi
S. Ganesan reports:
Protesters have been cleared from MGR statue Junction in Tiruchi. A group of protesters — of about 100 students — now assemble inside the district court campus. Police are holding talks with them. Anna Nagar link road has been opened. It had been closed for five days.
The core group said they are converting the protest into a fast and will continue the fast even if they are arrested. As more students come in, police closed the gates of court campus and refused to allow media to talk with the students
Violence reported in Chennai
Police use teargas on agitators in Royapettah in Chennai after being attacked. All roads leading to Marina beach have been cordoned off. This has caused major vehicular traffic jam in most parts of the city. There are also reports of a section of agitators hurling slippers on police.
Roads towards Pondy bazaar in T. Nagar and Gemini flyover in Teynamet are witnessing heavy vehicular traffic as well.
Meanwhile, TN Assembly session begins.
Protests called off in Ramanathapuram district
Protests have come to an end in Ramanathapuram district. Students and jallikattu supporters have called off their five day-protest and dispersed after shaking hands with police. Police personnel are also holding talks with protesters in Sivaganga district.
Numbers reduce in Alanganallur
Meanwhile, in Alanganallur, the numbers of protesters has reduced. However, a group of women and youngsters, including outsiders, is refusing to give up the protest despite attempts to persuade them by a larger group of locals.
Police and protesters hold talks at Tamukkam in Madurai on Monday.
Police have arrested jallikattu supporters at VOC Park grounds in Coimbatore. Photo: M. Periasamy
Protesters agree to leave the venue in Palayamkottai
The hunger strike held by pro-jallikattu protesters at VOC Ground, Palayamkottai has been withdrawn. Now, police at the spot are persuading the students to give up the agitation. The youngsters are leaving the venue.
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Police say that Republic Day parade will be conducted on the ground as planned. Photo: Wilson Thomas
In Tiruchi, protesters refuse to leave
S. Jaisankar says police have seal all roads leading to the MGR statue in Tiruchi to prevent students from protesting in the area. They are about 200 protesters and they have agreed to stop their protests.
Jallikattu Bill to be introduced today
A Bill to replace the Ordinance promulgated for conducting jallikattu would be introduced in the State Legislative Assembly session beginning today and it would be enacted as a Legislation, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has said.
350 arrested in Dindigul
K. Raju reports that the police have evicted protesters in some parts of Dindigul and about 350 persons have been arrested. They were lodged in a wedding hall.
Leave protest venues and come to arenas: Activists
A group of well-known personalities, which had lent strong support to the jallikattu protests, late on Sunday appealed to those at the protest venues to disperse and instead come to the jallikattu arenas now that the State has promulgated an Ordinance facilitating the sport.
“Leave the protest venues and come to the jallikattu arenas,” said Rajesh, who heads the Veera Vilayattu Paathukappu Peravai, at a joint press conference on Sunday.
