The death sentence handed out to five Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Colombo High Court sparked off protests in the city on Friday even as security personnel have been instructed to take steps to avert any untoward incidents.
A group of cadre of the Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT) and Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) were arrested here after they resorted to protests condemning the death sentence.
Members of the PT led by the party’s city secretary Shankar assembled near the Passport Seva Kendra and attempted to burn an effigy of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa when they were arrested.
A section of NTK cadre proceeded towards the Tiruchi railway junction to indulge in “rail roko” agitation when they were arrested by the police.
Police sources said the Director-General of Police had given an instruction to take steps to avert any incident targeting Sri Lankan establishments across the State.
In a written communication to all Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, the DGP directed them to avert any incidents where Sri Lankans were likely to stay or visit.
Acting on the DGP’s order, the City Police authorities deployed police personnel in front of the Sri Lankan Airlines ticketing office here on Friday.
Consequent to the violent incidents at Thangachimadam near Rameswaram where railway tracks were removed, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) officers of Tiruchi Railway Division have been directed to take necessary precautionary measures to prevent unsavoury incidents.
RPF officers attached to posts in the coastal districts of Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore besides Puducherry have been instructed to deploy personnel to carry out track patrolling in their respective jurisdiction along with the railway engineering staff with immediate effect.
The Government Railway Police authorities have instructed Special Branch personnel to collect advance intelligence information regarding any unrest in the coastal districts in the wake of the judgment.
Open line patrolling was conducted in Thangachimadam area near Rameswaram which was rocked by violence, railway police sources said.
