Tension prevailed on Thursday around Anna Salai and places around the arterial roads as leaders and cadres of Opposition led by DMK working president M.K. Stalin indulged in protests blocking the roads and preventing transport services.
The Opposition announced a state-wide dawn-to-dusk bandh to condemn the Union government for not constituting Cauvery Water Management Board, following the direction of the Supreme Court. The Vanigar Sankangalin Peramaippu, a federation of traders also joined the protest in showing solidarity with parties.
Shops and many commercial establishments in the city downed shutters in the morning. Normal life of residents and office-goers were affected as the bus services were prevented by agitators in CMBT and Koyambedu.
Descending on the junction between Walajah road and Anna Salai, Mr. Stalin, Congress leaders Su.Thirunavukarasar and K.V.Thangka Balu, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, Dravidar Kazhagam leader K.Veeramani, and Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazagham (TMMK) leader H.M. Jawaharilluha commenced the agitations. At the same time, the cadres of political parties blocked the Dams Road, Walajah Road and other adjoining roads. They did not allow buses to be operated and prevented individuals from moving in their vehicles.
Police personnel also tried to divert the traffic. Their attempt led to more confusion among office-goers, who were stranded near the Spencer Plaza signal and beyond.
Despite the repeated requests of police officers, the agitators refused to move. In addition, the leaders suddenly took out a procession on Walajah road towards Marina beach. Heavy police bandobust was deployed along road. Additional Commissioners of Police M.C.Sarangan and H.M.Jayaram inspected the arrangement.
The cadres broke the police cordon, erected near D-1 Triplicane Police station, and proceeded towards Marina. They also breeched the cordon placed near the Chepaul Guest House and proceeded.
On reaching Ezhilagam, the PWD office on Kamarajar road, Mr. Stalin and other leaders squatted on the road and indulged in sloganeering against the Centre and State governments. Top police officers tried to pacify them and asked them to disperse but their effort ended in vain.
Police arrested Mr. Stalin and other leaders and forcibly removed them in a police vehicle. The cadres, who blocked the police van from moving, were also arrested and taken away from the spot. The arrested leaders were held in a wedding hall.
