Decision to boycott Republic day celebrations

Chennai January 23: The Jallikattu protest that remained peaceful for a week in Tamil Nadu turned violent with demonstrators throwing stones at police following eviction action against them at the Marina beach here.

In a street in Triplicane area near Marina beach, protesters in large numbers threw stones at police which later retaliated with a baton charge.

Protesters alleged that the police used force and women were injured. Cars were set on fire outside a police station near the beach.

Police were, started their operation from 5:30 am onwards.They were fought back with the members up to five hours and send them from the merena beach.

The police blamed the violence on "anti-social elements" insinuating themselves in the crowd.

The police crackdown on protesters comes ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on Thursday and worries of a security breach.