The AIADMK workers, shattered by the conviction of their leader Jayalalithaa, gave vent to their ire by burning effigies of DMK president M. Karunanidhi at many places across Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts on Saturday.
In Tiruvarur district, AIADMK workers resorted to rail roko in Tiruvarur and Needamangalam stations. At a few places, some protesters threw stones at buses damaging the windscreens even as almost all shops downed shutters after the news of the verdict spread in the afternoon.
Public, especially the women and the elderly, were put to great hardship after being stranded in bus stands.
At the old bus stand, new bus stand, and railway station areas, distraught commuters were seen enquiring with TNSTC and police officials on operation of buses.
In the morning, the crowds were unusually and conspicuously thin in the buses. TNSTC sources said that 112 town bus services were operated daily from the Old Bus Stand to various destinations in the district. Many services were cancelled en route and were cleared only after getting the green signal from the higher authorities.
In far-flung areas, the bus crew were instructed to return to the nearest depot after the end of the trip. However, as the situation improved towards evening, bus services were restored.
Tension was palpable in Kumbakonam, Pattukottai, and Thiruvaiyaru regions with AIADMK men taking out processions and burning effigies of Mr. Karunanidhi.
AIADMK men burnt effigies of Mr. Karunanidhi and bemoaned the woe that befell Ms. Jayalalithaa whom they claimed had “served the State selflessly”. In places such as Palliagraharam, railway station, and old bus stand, groups of AIADMK supporters discussed the “horror” that had engulfed their party in the form of the “adverse verdict” against Ms. Jayalalithaa.
At the DMK district headquarters here, party workers were seen discussing the developments and how it would impact their future chances in the wake of the rapidly unfolding political developments. Some 50 workers were present there even as angry AIADMK supporters took out a procession and as the rally neared the DMK district headquarters, police rushed to prevent any unsavoury development.
In Tiruvarur district, angry AIADMK workers blocked the the Karaikal-Ernakulam Express for 30 minutes at Tiruvarur Junction and again forced the train to stop at Needamangalam station for 15 minutes. Effigies of the DMK president were burnt in Mannargudi, Tiruthuraipoondi, Muthupettai, and Tiruvarur.
Superintendent of Police Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar monitored the situation in the district.
