Chennai police revokes Section 144 in Marina beach

Protests, however, continue to not be permitted by the police.
Chennai police revokes Section 144 in Marina beach
Chennai police revokes Section 144 in Marina beach
Written by:

Days after the Chennai police imposed Section 144 in Marina Beach, the prohibitory order was  revoked on Saturday. 

A statement from Police Commissioner S George reads, "The present assessment indicates that a situation which warranted the promulgation of an under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code does not exist. Hence, the prohibitory orders under Section 144 promulgated on January 28, 2017 had been rescinded."

Section 144 was promulgated earlier to prevent the unlawful assembly on the beach following the largescale jallikattu protests in January. The orders were originally scheduled to be enforced until February 12. 

However, a regulatory order under section 41 of the Chennai City Police Act has been enforced. 

“It is presently in force to regulate assemblies, processions, etc. It is also informed that assemblies, processions, demonstrations, fasts, would not be permitted on the stretch of the Marina commencing from Napier Bridge to Light House,” the release stated.

In January, Marina beach became the epicentre of a week-long agitation by students and other groups who demanded that the Supreme Court ban on the bull-taming sport be revoked. However, even after the Tamil Nadu assembly passed an ordinance and thereafter a bill allowing jallikattu, the protests continued. On January 23, the Chennai police evicted protesters from the Marina beach, which later spiralled into violence. 

Days later on January 28, the Chennai police clamped section 144 at the Marina beach, justifying the orders stating that anti-social elements were using social media to gather protesters. 

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com