Violence returned to haunt the Madras High Court campus on Sunday as attacks on journalists and black flag demonstrations marred chief minister M Karunanidhis participation in a function to unveil Dr B R Ambedkars statue. The CM was visiting the court premises for the first time after the violence on the campus on February 19,2009 when lawyers and policemen clashed. As soon as the CM commenced his speech, a group of advocates began to protest against Karunanidhi for not executing court orders for the dismissal of the police officers responsible for last years incident. They began shouting slogans and an unidentified group flung chairs at them,resulting in a fight. Camerapersons filming the violence were also targeted. At least two video cameras were snatched and smashed by rampaging mob. Karunanidhi continued his speech amidst the melee, saying he would not be deterred by such indecent interference. He said he bore no ill-will against advocates or police and went on to promise a hike in the ex-gratia paid in event of the death of a lawyer from a public welfare fund. The violence continued even during the speech of justice Balakrishnan.
The incidents took place in the vicinity of the function venue in full view of the chief minister, chief justice of India justice K G Balakrishnan, union law minister M Veerappa Moily, chief justice of the Madras High Court HL Gokhale, DGP Letika Saran, commissioner of police T Rajendran, as also nearly 50 judges of the high court. After the violence abated, police personnel collected the pamphlets hurled by the agitating advocates, inspected the smashed cameras, and sent the injured to hospital. Esplanade police have registered cases against 10 persons for offences punishable under Section 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapons), 323 (causing hurt), 324 (hurt by dangerous weapons), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506(ii) (criminal intimidation). While five persons have been arrested, four others are at large.
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(source-toi)
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