Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Tuesday announced the setting up of a commission under a retired high court judge into the ‘reasons and circumstances that led to the law and order problems’ which occurred as a sequel to the protests demanding jallikattu.

He also announced that cases against all the students would be withdrawn considering their future. A total of 312 persons in Chennai and 179 in the rest of the state had been arrested. Among them there are 21 students from Chennai and 15 from other parts, the Chief Minister said and announced that cases against them would be withdrawn.


He said police inquiry is on about the video clippings of police resorting to violence and severe action would be taken if the charges are confirmed.
In a 110 statement in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the commission which would be asked to submit its report in three months, would find out the reasons and circumstances for the law and order problems, damage to public and private property. It would also enquire if the force used by the police was appropriate to deal with the circumstances or if there were violations in police actions.

The commission would also give suggestions to avoid police excesses if such excesses were found by it, Panneerselvam said. Recalling his earlier statement about the incident, he said his government is firm that fishermen’s livelihood should not be affected due to the actions of anti-social elements and so the fish market at Nadukuppam would be renovated.

A temporary fish market will be set up in a few days. Besides, a modern and permanent fish market would be set up at a cost of Rs 70 lakh he said. The fishing equipment of people at Mattankuppam and Ayodhikuppam had also been damaged due to the violence of anti-social elements, he said. The damage would be assessed and relief would be provided for the fishermen, he said.