Ministers meet Jallikattu protesters, but no withdrawal of agitation

With protest for Jallikattu continuing at Marina for more than 24 hours, State Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar and School Education Minister K Pandiarajan held talks with representatives of the protesting youth.

Speaking to reporters later, they said the 50 AIADMK Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs will "exert required pressure on the Centre" for conduct of Jallikattu.

Meanwhile, the protesters refused to withdraw the agitation, and siad they would continue it till chief minister O Panneerselvam accepts their demands.

The protests were peaceful although riot police were stationed nearby in case of violence. Young and tech savvy , the protesters said they were concerned about hurt to Tamil pride and wanted to protect their culture.

Responding to the protestors' demands for an assurance from Panneerselvam for conducting Jallikattu, Pandiarajan said the government cannot give any oral assurance and indicated that the chief minister could issue a statement later in the day on the matter.

A group of protesters blocked the Madurai-Trichy highway at Othakadai for about 30 minutes. In many areas in the city , police tried to evict agitators by detaining them or disbursed them through force.