Angels of Marina can no longer step on the sands of the beach to clear it of litter. They have been denied permission to continue with their weekend clean-up drive, which they have been carrying out on a section of Marina — from Light House to Foreshore Estate — for five years.
This decision is said to be part of a larger exercise to prevent groups from congregating at the Marina, which was hit by waves of protesters during the Jallikattu agitation in December 2016.
Administrative changes in the police department are also said to be behind this decision. A few other groups that organise events at the beach regularly have also been asked to stay away.
Angels of Marina volunteers allege that last month they were treated badly by the police patrolling the beach. At that time, they were carrying out a clean-up.
Over 200 people had gathered at the beach and the police had allegedly entered into an argument with them.
“We are upset with the way the police treated our volunteers; two of them were taken in a patrol van and threatened at the station. They had to sign a letter saying they would not clean the sands of the Marina anymore,” said Blessing A. Manikandan, one of the founding members of Angels of Marina.
Angels of Marina volunteers say they are at a loss why they are being targeted.
After the Jallikattu protest, when Section 144 was promulgated in and around the beach, Angel of Marina volunteers abstained from their cleaning activity, for two periods.
The volunteers have sent representations to the police and the Greater Chennai Corporation, but both have not responded.
Innovative methods
The group, which extensively campaigned for a cleaner Marina on Facebook with a catchy tagline and slogan — “I love Marina. I am an angel of Marina, are you...?” — has evolved since it started its clean-up drive in 2012.
A 15-member core team coordinates the various activities of the group which include promoting the cause and offering incentives to volunteers to ensure their regular participation in the clean-up activity.
“We spend around ₹50,000 a month for the clean-up, which includes presenting certificates/ bookmarks, employing a person to mobilise people and issuing membership cards,” he said.
Five thousand membership cards have been issued so far. Those who have taken part in five clean-ups are entitled to a membership card. On an average, 200 to 250 people attend the weekend clean-up. “Unlike other NGOs, we did not expand to take up any other activity, but focused entirely on keeping Marina clean and safe. The latest development has been a bolt from the blue,” says Manikandan, adding that the group will go to court if the Police Commissioner does not respond positively to its representation.
According to P. Saravanan, deputy commissioner of police (law and order) Mylapore, processions, demonstrations, human chains, meetings and movement of groups are prohibited in and around the Marina and Foreshore Estate after the Jallikattu agitation.
