Retired HC judge to probe violence in jallikattu protests

A Government Order (GO) was issued to this effect after the Governor appointed the retired Judge as the one-man commission. The GO said the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry was to inquire into the causes and circumstances leading to the law and order disturbances on January 23, including damages to public and private properties. 

The panel will also ascertain whether appropriate force was used as warranted by the circumstances and whether there was any excess on the part of police officials and suggest action to be taken and recommend suitable measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. 

The one-man commission would complete its inquiry and submit a report to the government within a period of three months from the date of publication of this notification, the GO said. 

It may be recalled that the week-long massive agitation by the youngsters, especially students, women and children, who had congregated at the Marina beach front from January 17, turned violent on January 23, when police tried to evict the protesters. 

It is alleged that some anti-social elements, which had tried to march towards Marina, were stopped resulting in stone throwing at the police, who used force and burst tear gas shells to disperse them.