Hunger strikes, prayer meetings and a human chain were organised on Wednesday across the city by AIADMK cadre, in further protest of the conviction and sentencing of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in a disproportionate assets case.
Large gatherings of AIADMK protesters were seen at Valluvar Kottam, Chepauk and Porur. A human chain organised by the IT wing of the AIADMK, initially planned from Poes Garden to the AIADMK party headquarters in Royapettah, was finally restricted to some stretches of Cathedral Road and Avvai Shanmugam Salai (near Ms. Jayalalithaa’s home and party office).
Streets in Poes Garden wore a deserted look on Wednesday as police restricted access to the neighbourhood. “The number of cadre camping in the neighbourhood has reduced significantly over the past few days,” said a resident.
On Cathedral Road, a section of women party cadre carrying placards displaying the image of the AIADMK supremo raised slogans against the judiciary, and demanded her release. As a result, traffic on the road moved at snail’s pace for over 30 minutes. The protesters dispersed around 11.15 a.m.
“Hunger strikes and prayer meetings were organised in 70 locations across the city on Wednesday. Thousands participated. Yet protests have been peaceful,” said Mayor Saidai Duraisamy. Deputy Mayor P. Benjamin organised a protest meeting in Porur that saw a number of Chennai Corporation councillors participating.
Association protestsMembers of the Tamil Nadu Nursery, Primary, Matriculation, Higher Secondary and CBSE Schools Association gathered at the DPI Complex in Nungambakkam on Wednesday to express solidarity with the former Chief Minister.
( With additional reportingby Asha Sridhar )