Shoot-at-sight orders in Tamil Nadu

In the wake of violent protests by lawyers, police has issued shoot-at-sight orders in Tamil Nadu against those trying to damage public properties and create disturbance to general public.

District SPs have been empowered to carry out the order, a release from the DGP's office said Friday night. Appropriate action would be taken against those who trying to damage vehicles or involve in other illegal activities, it said.

"Some anti-social elements were using Thursday's incidents to damage public property and burn vehicles," the release said, adding strict action would be taken against them.

The clashes between the advocates, agitating on Sri Lankan issue, and police broke out on Thursday over arrest of some lawyers, accused of assaulting Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy in the court.

A judge and many police personnel besides advocates were injured in stone pelting and subsequent police baton-charge. Attempt to murder cases were yesterday filed against 150 advocates in the aftermath of the violence in Madras High Court premises.

Strays incidents of violence by lawyers in protest against police action against their colleagues were reported across the state yesterday.