Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of the bandh call given by some political parties and trade associations condemning the Centre for hike in diesel price, on allowing foreign direct investments in retail trade and on restricted use of LPG refills for domestic users, police said.
Police said that the CPI (M) and BJP have planned to hold agitations in front of the Railway junction, East Gate and near Tamukkum.
Various traders’ and industrial associations have announced closure of their shops and establishments to show their protest to the Union government from dawn to dusk on Thursday.
Though the State government had initially declared holiday for educational institutions on September 20, a late announcement stated that institutions would function as usual.
Buses operated by the educational institutions, private auto rickshaws and vehicles would run without any hindrance, a senior police officer said.
Heavy vehicles would not be permitted entry from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. around Masi Streets, a police press release said.
The Central government institutions would be deployed with additional police strength and trouble-prone pockets have been identified, the officer clarified. The TNSTC buses would be plied as usual in the city and suburbs, a senior official said. An AIADMK trade union office-bearer said that they would rope in all their members in the Transport Corporation to work which would ensure that common man did not suffer due to the bandh call.
Meanwhile, in the suburban pockets, the Madurai district police said that apart from the security provided to counter the bandh call given by the political parties and trade organisations, they have two major Vinayaka Chathurthi processions to be held at Melur and Elumalai respectively.
Traffic diversions
Traffic diversions would be effected in some parts of the city in view of the Vinayaka Chaturthi procession.
Apart from the local units, police personnel from the Battalion and Tamil Nadu Special Police would be deployed for the bandobust arrangements.
