Amid reports of sporadic violence, hundreds of police personnel were deployed to guard vital installations and areas of public gathering across the State. Buses and vehicles bearing Karnataka registration numbers were targeted at some places. Security was enhanced along the western districts bordering Karnataka. Shops remained closed in many places on Tuesday evening following the denial of bail to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, police sources said.
While protests by AIADMK cadres demanding the release of Ms. Jayalalithaa continued, a farmer who resorted to self-immolation in support of the former Chief Minister on Monday night died of his burns. Venkatesan (42) of Paithambedi near Panruti in Cuddalore district was upset after Ms. Jayalalithaa was convicted and sent to jail. He took the extreme step after returning home from work.
In another instance of self-immolation, Suresh (38) of Vidathakulam near Usilampatti in Madurai district set himself ablaze demanding the release of Ms. Jayalalithaa. He was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai with serious burns.
In Nagercoil, two Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses were damaged when unidentified persons, who came on motorcycles, threw stones at the vehicles. A woman passenger was injured.
In Palani, two private vehicles bearing Karnataka registration numbers were attacked. An omni bus of Karnataka was stoned by two motorcycle-borne persons near Ariyamangalam in Tiruchi. The front windshield of the bus was damaged and the driver a minor injury. Incidents of attack on buses were also reported from Ariyalur and Perambalur districts.
Apprehending violence, the crew of a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus plying towards Chennai from Bangalore on the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway drove the into the premises of the Sriperumpudur Police Station around 4.30 p.m..
Seven passengers in the bus were requested to take TNSTC buses to reach Chennai, the sources said.
When contacted, a senior police officer said instructions were given to all commissionerates/districts to ensure normality. Adequate police personnel were deployed to prevent untoward incidents.
Night patrolling and vehicle checks were intensified. “Educational institutions, government and private establishments will function normally. There is no call for bandh or any major agitation that can affect normal life. Firm action is being taken against those indulging in violence,” the officer said.
