Soon after the Tamil Nadu government rejected the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s plea for space to bury the body of party president M. Karunanidhi on the premises of Anna Memorial at Marina Beach, armed police personnel took position at vital installations across the State.
As news spread, tension began to build among cadres gathered at the Kauvery Hospital where the body of the former Chief Minister was kept till late on Tuesday. Police had to resort to a lathicharge to disperse party workers who staged a dharma in front of the hospital.
Police presence was also enhanced at the Gopalapuram and CIT Colony residences of Mr. Karunanidhi and at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters.
While commercial establishments downed shutters after news of Mr. Karunanidhi’s death broke, transport services, including private cabs, withdrew operations. Buses cancelled trips in many districts. Long queues were seen at fuel stations that closed down later.
The State Intelligence Department issued an alert to Commissioners/Superintendents of Police to step up security at railway stations, bus stands, malls, places of worship and other public areas.
Police personnel were deployed at vantage points. Even recruits undergoing training at the Tamil Nadu Police Academy and the Police Training College were roped in. Quick Reaction Teams and armed commandos were stationed at “vulnerable” places. Companies of armed reserve police were mobilised and kept ready in all cities and districts for deployment in the event of any untoward incident, police sources said.
Amid reports of buses being targeted, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation authorities decided to move the fleet to the depots. A posse of police personnel was posted at the Anna Memorial on Marina Beach to prevent any gathering of party cadres there, the sources said.
At the police headquarters, Director-General of Police T.K Rajendran reviewed security arrangements with senior officials.
