200 youths taken into custody over Jallikattu protests

More than 200 youths were taken into custody after they held protests at Alanganallur village demanding lifting of the ban on bull taming sport Jallikattu, police said on Tuesday. Residents on Tuesday shouted slogans against police and demanded release of the youths who were taken into custody last night.

Police said the youths had come to Alanganallur yesterday expecting that jallikattu would be held following an invitation through social media.

Police had on Monday made a lathicharge to disperse several youths when they made an unsuccessful bid to tame bulls released on the roads by miscreants.

Police said many youths tried to rush towards the "exit" point at the Jallikattu venue and the situation went out of control forcing them to resort to lathicharge to disperse them. However, some youths managed to hold a rally shouting slogans against police, central government and PETA. Many staged a dharna near the venue.

As some youths refused to disperse and continued their protest, police took them into custody last night. They have been lodged in marriage halls at Vadipatti and Alanganallur, police said.