Normal life came to a halt in Puducherry since early morning on Wednesday as shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained shut and most of the vehicles were off the road following the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi.
Even petty shops remained shut in Puducherry and its suburbs, reflecting a bandh-like atmosphere. The city and its suburbs were deserted ever since Tuesday evening with commercial establishments winding up operations following the announcement of Mr. Karunanidhi’s death.
After the official announcement of his death came at 6.10 p.m, the Puducherry Government declared a public holiday for all government offices and educational institutions on Wednesday and announced a seven-day mourning as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
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In Puducherry, members of Sahodharan, a non-governmental organisation led by Sheethal Nayak, transgender rights activist, paid floral tributes to a portrait of Mr. Karunanidhi. The members distributed free food packets to attenders of patients at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Hospital.
Stray incidents
The mourning was largely peaceful in the neighbouring districts, barring stray incidents of stoning of buses in Villupuram district. The windscreens of seven buses were shattered in stone throwing in Tindivanam, Mailam and Vikravandi in Villupuram district. The large presence of the police across Cuddalore and Villupuram districts ensured that there was untoward incidents.
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Private clinics remained shut and only a handful of pharmacies stayed open. There were cases of motorists finding it hard to get fuel for their vehicles as petrol bunks remained closed for the second consecutive day.
The DMK cadre had put up portraits of Mr. Karunanidhi at various locations to help his admirers and supports pay tributes to him.