The first day of the DMK’s zonal conference at Saralai village, near Perundurai here, led to the disruption of vehicle movement on the Salem – Coimbatore National Highway throughout the day.
With DMK cadre arriving in lorries, vans, and cars to the venue from 8 a.m., vehicle movement was affected from 9 a.m. till the end of the conference on Saturday evening. Indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the highways, and absence of police personnel to regulate the crowd led to the disruption.
Less than 10 police personnel were present near the venue where the median opening was barricaded.
They were not involved in regulating traffic or controlling the crowd. Organisers too did not post anyone to regulate the crowd.
Even ambulances could not move. This led to chaos outside the area as the situation worsened by noon.
Though the organisers claimed that 350 acres were available for vehicle parking, many vehicles were parked on the road and along the highway leading to congestion.
The conference venue turned to be a place for a source of livelihood for many as shopkeepers selling snack items, food items, juices, pictures of DMK leaders and others were seen. They earn their livelihood through the temporary shops established outside the venue during the two-day conference.
