The scenario in the city on Tuesday after the conviction of the AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala and three others in the Disproportionate Assets case by the Supreme Court was in sharp contrast to the situation that prevailed when a special court in Bengaluru handed out its verdict in the same case in September 2014.
Unlike 2014 when emotionally charged AIADMK cadre resorted to a string of protests and indulged in road blockades when their leader and then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was convicted and sentenced by the special court to undergo four-year imprisonment along with three others including Ms.Sasikala, there were no such incidents on Tuesday.
The city was by and large peaceful with normal life remaining unaffected. This was quite contrary to the scene in 2014 when frenzied AIADMK functionaries asked traders to down shutters at different places here and even set afire effigy of DMK president M. Karunanidhi to vent their ire. Police said there were no untoward incidents when the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict.
Buses were operated as usual in the city with shops and business establishments remaining open. As a precautionary measure, police were deployed at vantage spots across the city to ensure that there was no disturbance to law and order.
The office of Member of Legislative Assembly of Tiruchi East and Srirangam here presented a desolate look with no party men seen anywhere nearby.
However, police were deployed near the office of Tiruchi East MLA office along with West Boulevard Road.
