The verdict of a special court in Bangalore in the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa triggered agitations by AIADMK supporters in the Nilgiris on Saturday.
In Ooty a group of supporters burnt an effigy of DMK leader M.Karunanidhi opposite the municipal market, pulled down banners and hoardings of the DMK and staged road blockade agitations in busy areas
like Charing Cross, Garden road and the Coffee House junction.They also made shopkeepers, hoteliers, road side hawkers etc pull down their shutters and staged a demonstration opposite the Government Botanical
Garden (GBG). As a measure of precaution the garden gates were closed and security beefed up. Fifty-six AIADMK activists including 10 women were arrested when an attempt was made to close one of the offices of the DMK here, DMK supporters gathered to register their protest. However, they dispersed following the intervention of the police.
In Coonoor, Gudalur, Kotagiri, Pandhalur and Manjoor also normal life was hit with most of the commercial establishments remaining closed. Effigies of Mr.Karunanidhi were burnt in some places. At Manjoor
five functionaries of the AIADMK sustained minor burns while setting ablaze an effigy. On account of the agitations tension prevailed all over the district.
A pall of gloom descended on Ms.Jayalalithaa’s Kodanad estate near Kotagiri.
Transport sources told The Hindu that bus services were seriously hit in various parts of the district. One bus was stoned at Kinnakorai. Out of 12 Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses which
normally ply to Bangalore, Mysore and Gundlupet only six were run in the forenoon. Special buses were run for passengers of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses who were stranded at
Kakkanullah on the Karnataka-Nilgiris border. Stating that instructions had been issued to operate buses in accordance with the situation prevailing and the available security, the sources said that owing to the disruption in the services a large number of tourists and locals were subjected to considerable hardship.
Official sources said that vigil has been stepped up in various parts of the Nilgiris.
Focus was on Kakkanullah
Vehicle checks at Kakkanullah which had commenced on Friday were intensified on Saturday. However there was a drastic reduction in the number of vehicles passing through Kakkanullah.People driving vehicles
with Karnataka number plates were asked to exercise caution.
Police pickets have been posted in sensitive areas.
