Angry and widespread protests, including attempted rail rokos, were staged across the State on Monday to protest the participation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cabinet in New Delhi.
Tamil enthusiasts and Eelam supporters such as the Naam Tamizhar Katchi, besides the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Marumalarchi Drvaida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), staged demonstrations in several places.
Over 150 persons were detained at various locations in Chennai when they raised slogans, showed black flags and tore down BJP placards. The protests were held at Chennai Central, George Town Post Office and Shastri Bhavan, which houses Central government offices, and in front of Chennai Collectorate.
In Ramanathapuram, the police rounded up 34 SDPI workers when they attempted to block the Rameswaram-Madurai Passenger at the junction. Over 40 persons were detained outside Nagappattinam Junction when they attempted to stage a rail roko.
At Mayiladuthurai, 28 men, claiming to be the workers of the Tamil Viduthalai Puligal Katchi, were detained outside the junction when they attempted to block a train.
In Thanjavur, activists of the Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam resorted to a demonstration on the Abraham Pandithar Road, where they raised slogans denouncing Mr. Rajapaksa for human rights violations.
Besides, members of the Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam, the Ulaga Tamilar Peramaippu and the Tamil Desiya Poduvudamai Katchi protested the Sri Lankan President’s visit. In Tiruchi, Musiri and Manapparai, Tamil enthusiasts attempted to burn the effigy of Mr. Rajapaksa, while some organisations tried to stage rail roko at Tiruchi Junction.
Court boycott
In Ariyalur, some advocates staged a protest in front of the Guruvayoor Express when the train halted at the station for a couple of minutes. The police removed them immediately. In Villupuram, advocates boycotted courts and blocked traffic in front of the court complex. In Tirupur, workers of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhgam and the Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam staged protests. In the Nilgiris district, protests were staged at Gudalur and Kotagiri.
