DMDK cadres protest outside a TASMAC in MGR Nagar

Chennai: Dravida Murpokku Desiya Kazhagam (DMDK) cadres protested outside a TASMAC outlet in Choolaipallam near MGR Nagar on Sunday, demanding closure of the outlet. Around 10.30 am, DMDK cadres headed by a local functionary, Kamaraju took out on a rally as a mark of respect for Gandhian activist Sasi Perumal who died on Friday while atop a cell phone tower.

A cutout of the anti-liquor crusader was put up by the 137th ward members of the DMDK, hardly ten meters from the outlet on Venkatraman Salai. The cadres who paid floral respects to the cutout started their march when they demanded closure of the shop.

“They (DMDK cadres) were raising slogans and as they passed by the shop, they demanded it be shut down. We obliged and pulled down our shutters to prevent any damage,” K. Suresh, the store in-charge told DC.

The cadres then staged a road roko raising slogans against the government demanding total prohibition in the state and dispersed before the police reached the scene.

Suresh claimed that there was no attack on any of the property or on the staff. “They wanted to showcase their turf power. They did and dispersed. There is no threat as such. If there is one, why would we keep the outlet open?” he asked while busy catering to the customers later in the evening. Tasmac district officer and police officials inspected the scene and assured safety, he added.

Meanwhile, a special patrol team was posted near the Tasmac outlet for security reasons to prevent any untoward incidents. MGR Nagar police registered cases under sections 141 (unlawful assembly) 147 (rioting), 352 (obstructing government servants from disposing their duties) and have launched a hunt for those involved. “We have not made any arrests so far,” said MGR Nagar Inspector C.Subramaniyan said. Opposition parties in the state have called for total prohibition in the state with proposal of a statewide bandh on Aug.4 following the death of Gandhian activist Sasiperumal.