Chennai anti-CAA stir turns violent, 4 cops injured

Chennai, February 15

An anti-CAA protest by Muslims turned violent when a group of protesters clashed with the police here, leaving four personnel injured.

Opposition parties led by the DMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday lashed out at the police action and sought action against those police personnel who allegedly used force against the agitators.

The incident on Friday led to sporadic protests across Tamil Nadu, including at Washermanpet in the city, where the violence erupted, but protesters subsequently called off the agitation, following talks with City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan.

Four police personnel — a woman joint commissioner, two women constables and a sub-inspector — were injured in stone-throwing, the police said, even as reports emerged that some protesters were also hurt.

Joint Commissioner P Vijayakumari sustained injuries on her head, the police said, adding that those wounded were admitted to a hospital.

With the government coming under the Opposition attack over the violence, the ruling AIADMK reaffirmed its commitment to the Muslim community and said “Goebbels like propaganda” against it would not work.

Earlier, some agitators were reportedly removed from the protest site forcibly, leading to a commotion between them and the police. The protesters accused the police of resorting to a lathicharge.

Some of the protesters were detained. Subsequently, more people gathered, demanding their release, so security was beefed up. — PTI