Even as the Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations passed off peacefully, the police had a tough time in resolving disputes over installation of idols without permission in three places across the city. Police personnel were also posted at locations where Vinayaka idols were installed.
Special prayers were offered at Vinayaka temples across the city. A large number of devotees thronged the Eachanari Vinayaka temple and the one at Puliakulam. Devotees were seen standing in long queues for several hours from the morning for dharshan.
During the day, trouble erupted at Selvapuram near Kallamedu when the police resisted a move by the Hindu Munnani activists to install an idol despite denial of police permission. The activists argued that they used to install the idol every year and found fault with the police in imposing rigid restrictions this year. The public gathered in large numbers preventing the police from removing the idol.
The police finally removed the statue and also all the activists including women. When they were brought to an auditorium in a hotel on Railway Station road, they refused to get down from the police vehicles and raised slogans. Then, the activists were removed to the Police Recruits School grounds where they refused to take food. Two of them developed health complications. The police held talks with them and finally the activists left the PRS grounds.
Similarly, at Al-Ameen Colony in Ukkadam, the police faced trouble in thwarting attempts by the Indu Makkal Katchi to install a Vinayaka idol. The police held talks with them as the place they demanded had a concentration of the minority community population. The activists were removed by the police after the talks. The Ukkadam police registered a case.
Opposition for installing a Vinayaka idol on a street close to a place of worship of another faith at Kurinji Nagar in Kuniamuthur led to commotion on Saturday night. A wordy duel between two groups was said to have developed into a clash in which one person was reportedly injured. Following the developments, City Police Commissioner C. Sylendra Babu along with his officials and huge reinforcements camped at Kuniamuthur from late night to early morning. Fourteen persons from both groups were arrested on Sunday.
At Ramapattinam near Pollachi, the Chathurthi celebrations were attended by members of the Islamic faith and the organisers distributed sweets to them.
