Indians protesting a ban on traditional form of bullfighting clashed with police and torched vehicles in the southern city of Chennai on Monday.
The sport, known as jallikattu, which is popular in the southern Tamil Nadu state, was banned by India’s Supreme Court in 2014 on grounds of animal cruelty.
Jallikattu events were held in the state on Sunday after the government passed an executive order temporarily lifting the prohibition.
The protestors, who started gathering recently at Chennai’s Marina beach, were calling for the ban to permanently repealed and said they would not leave until their demand was met.
According to media reports, the protesters hurled stones and bricks at cops and set vehicles on fire.
Television images also showed police officers using tear gas and batons on the crowds.
A local police officer, Kumar, who uses only one name, said by phone from Chennai that “we have removed 3,000 of the 5,000 protestors gathered here since last week.
“The remaining will also leave soon, the situation is normal now.”
Indian media reported that 20 people and 12 policemen were injured in the clashes.
Protests also took place in other parts of the state, including the city Madurai, where 82 people were detained by police.
Animal rights activists have long opposed the activity, pointing to the injuries it causes to bulls, as well as human deaths.
Supporters say the sport is part of local tradition and heritage and deny it is cruel to animals.
Proponents of the sport have appealed for permanent lifting of the ban, arguing that the executive order should last only six months.
Two men were gored to death and up to 90 more people were injured in a jallikattu event in Pudukottai district on Sunday amid the on-going debate and protests about the future of the sport.