What is happening in Chennai? I even heard IPL was being threatned due to some protestors asking for their demands to be fulfilled, what demands?
Tension prevailed on Anna Salai and in several parts of the city on Thursday as leaders and the cadre of the Opposition parties led by DMK working president M.K. Stalin took to the streets in protest, blocking the roads and disrupting traffic.
The Opposition parties had announced a Statewide dawn-to-dusk bandh to condemn the Centre for not constituting the Cauvery Water Management Board following the directions of the Supreme Court.
Arriving at the junction between Walajah Road and Anna Salai, Mr. Stalin, Congress leaders Su. Thirunavukarasar and K.V. Thangkabalu, VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani and TMMK leader H.M. Jawahirullah began the agitation at 9.15 a.m.
Cadres belonging to the political parties blocked Dams Road, Walajah Road and other adjoining roads. They blocked MTC buses from plying and stopped motorists too.
Office-goers stranded
Police personnel tried to divert the traffic near Spencer’s signal. However, this led to more confusion and office-goers were stranded for a while. Choas and confusion prevailed as motorists were left clueless of the route they should take.
Despite repeated requests from the police officers, the protesters refused to move. Holding black flags and placards, the leaders started a procession on Walajah Road towards the Marina beach. Police put up barricades to stop the protesters near the Triplicane police station.
The cadre pushed the barricades and the police personnel who were standing behind them. After a brief scuffle, the cadre cleared the way for their leaders to march ahead.
Police personnel were unable to control the crowd. The police put up another set of barricades near the Chepauk Guest House. But that was also breached. The protesters threw stones at the police personnel. An officer, including an ACP, were injured. “We exercised maximum restraint to ensure things did not go out of control,” an officer said.
Leaders squat on road
On reaching Ezhilagam and the PWD headquarters on Kamarajar Road, Mr. Stalin and other leaders squatted on the road and raised slogans against the Central and State governments.
Police officers tried to pacify them but in vain. The police then forcibly removed Mr. Stalin and other leaders. While they were being taken in a police vehicle, the cadre blocked the van. After a struggle, the police managed to take them away from the spot. Following the leaders, the cadre who gathered in large number also courted arrest. They were detained at a few places places in the city and released in the evening. Traffic went out of gear on Kamarajar Salai and adjoining areas for a few hours.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ina-chennai-comes-to-halt/article23448272.ece
