Tamil Nadu chief minister K. Palaniswami announced here on Friday that cases filed in the state for participation in the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act would be withdrawn.

Around 1,500 cases were filed early last year for holding protests in violation of prohibitory orders, damaging public property and preventing policemen from doing their work, he said. Except cases related to violence, further legal action in all other cases was being dropped, the chief minister said.

Cases filed for violation of lockdown norms and spreading Covid rumours last year will also be withdrawn. Around 10 lakh such cases were filed. Barring cases linked to violence, prevention of police personnel from discharging their duties, and use of fraudulent means to obtain e-pass during the lockdown, all other cases would be withdrawn, the chief minister said.