: Tiruchi city on Thursday was witness to a chain of protests by members of various organisations and outfits against the visit of Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi here.
Shouting slogans and staging black flag demonstrations, the agitators came to the roads despite heavy police presence at strategic points.
The city presented a contrasting sight with BJP cadre on the one side who came in droves from various parts of the State to take part in the youth conference hailing Mr. Modi, and on the other side those opposed to his visit denouncing him.
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A group of members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged a black flag demonstration near the Periyar statue close to the central bus stand.
The members, led by SDPI’s State general secretary M. Nizam Muhaideen, assembled near the statue holding placards and raised slogans against Mr. Modi, before being arrested.
Several members of the Makkal Kalai Ilakiya Kazhagam, who staged a black flag demonstration near the Palakkarai warehouse, were picked up by the police.
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Members of the Human Rights Protection Council, Tamizhaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi, Vidhuthalai Tamil Puligal and Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam were also arrested after they staged black flag demonstrations at different places.
Enhanced security
The city was brought under enhanced security cover for Mr. Modi’s visit. Senior police officers deployed for bandobust duty were on rounds in their respective jurisdictions to ensure order.
Prior to attending the conference, Mr. Modi spent a few minutes with the family members of Auditor Ramesh, BJP’s State general secretary who was murdered at Salem in July.
Mr. Modi’s meeting with the family members of Auditor Ramesh, including his wife and mother, took place at SRM hotel on Race Course road.
Earlier, Mr. Modi held a meeting with office bearers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), BJP and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad at the hotel.
Present at the meeting were BJP national president Rajnath Singh, RSS leaders of Dakshin and Uttar Tamil Nadu, BJP state president Pon. Radhakrishnan, party national spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman, national general secretary P. Muralidhar Rao, Auditor S. Gurumoorthy, co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Hindu Munnani leader S. Ramagopalan.