The removal and reinstallation of permanent steel gates within a short time in Sivan Temple Car streets here confounded residents and traders.
Police erected the gates one and a half year ago to prevent movement of vehicles along the narrow streets and to give easy access for the devotees visiting the temple. The gates were removed all of a sudden, and Thoothukudi Central police arrested four persons in this connection on Sunday.
Posters were pasted in the temple area by DMK and AIADMK cadres hailing Thoothukudi MLA Geetha Jeevan (DMK) and Mayor A.P.R. Anthony Grace (AIADMK) respectively for having the gates removed.
However, the removed gates were reinstalled by the police on Tuesday night.
Traders had been staging protests against installation of permanent gates, as their business was affected. Apart from the traders, the public, especially schoolchildren, were also finding it difficult to move around, N.S.S. Solai Jeyaraj, president, Melur United Merchants Association, said on Wednesday.
The indiscriminate parking of two-wheelers close to the gates itself created difficulties for the devotees.
Hence, a writ petition was filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on November 11, 2014, seeking removal of the four permanent gates in Vadakku Sampanthamoorthy Street, Sivankoil Street and Perumal Kovil Street, he said.
However, the court directed the authorities concerned to deal with the issue as per law, he added.
D. Selvaraj, a resident of Sivan Temple Street, said since these gates remained closed, there was traffic chaos in East Car Street mostly of the time as there was no alternative route for the people to void the spot.
T. Nallasuyambu, another resident, said autorickshaw drivers charged Rs. 60, against Rs. 40 charged earlier, to take passengers to the bus stand from here as they had to take a circuitous route. The Corporation council did not pass any resolution to erect the gates.
Superintendent of Police Ashwin M. Kotnis told The Hindu that only after taking a collective decision at a meeting, the authorities installed the gates.
Ms. Geetha Jeevan said parents of schoolchildren sought her intervention to open the gates for at least one hour from 8.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The demand was conveyed to the police officers.
Corporation sources said the administration was ready to pass a fresh resolution to remove the gates.
