Ramanathapuram
Gearing up for the 61st death anniversary of Dalit leader Immanuel Sekaran on September 11, the district administration and the police held discussions with community leaders here on Wednesday and finalised restrictions, including banning of hired vehicles to ensure that the event passed off peacefully.
Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao and Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena discussed ways and means with community leaders and officer-bearers of the Devendra Panpattu Kazhagam (DPK), which organised the event and decided to follow the 25 odd restrictions, which were in vogue for last year also. “Like last year, this year also all types of hired vehicles will be banned from carrying volunteers to the event,” Mr Meena said.
The volunteers, coming on their own vehicles, should get vehicle passes after giving all required details to their respective police stations. Those who were coming from Madurai and other places on the Madurai road should follow the changed traffic arrangements and park their vehicles at the new parking bay at the Government Arts College, adjacent to the Railway track, the SP said.
The district administration and the police identified specified routes for the volunteers from the district and from other districts to reach the memorial site at Paramakudi. Volunteers should strictly avoid the banned routes, an official release said.
It said leaders of recognised political parties should get prior appointments with the district administration for paying homage at the memorial and they should stick to their allotted times. Their convoys should not comprise more than three vehicles, it said.
As per the restrictions, ‘mulaipari’ and milk pot processions would be allowed only within the one km stretch near the memorial and padayatra was banned in all parts of the district. The volunteers were also banned from carrying flags and banners while travelling in buses and own vehicles. They should desist from raising slogans, whipping up communal passions, it said.
The community leaders and office-bearers of DPK agreed to abide by the restrictions and extend their cooperation for the peaceful conduct of the event. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation would operate special buses on September 11 to villages to bring volunteers and they should avoid travelling on the footboards or rooftops.
