Thousands of protesters refused to leave Marina Beach, despite police attempts to force them out and an appeal by Chief Minister Panneerselvam to end their stir demanding lifting of the Jallikattu ban.
Following Panneerselvam’s appeal, high level police officers tried to persuade agitating youths on the beach to disperse, only to find that the 5,000-strong crowd was swelling.
Police then resorted to lathicharge to disperse them, but protesters stayed put and raised slogans against the cops.
A few students and a couple of constables were injured in the melee. More than 5,000 youngsters including students of arts and science, medical, engineering and law colleges, youths, women, advocates, software professionals among others have been holding relay protests through chilly nights and scorching heat asking the state and the Centre to repeal the ban on Jallikattu.
Orchestrated through social media, the protest also attracted Tamil film stars and pro-Tamil outfits. Agitators, however, refused any politician to lead the stir.Meanwhile, about 30 city colleges have declared holiday on Thursday after it appeared likely that the protest would continue.
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