Chennai: The City police warn of stringent action against any proposed stir in Marina beach as called for by a section through social media, citing that any sort of demonstration and agitation was prohibited in the beach. The cops, as a pre-emptive measure, increased their presence in Marina beach. The City Police Commissioner S. George, who is monitoring the deployment, was taking stock of the ground situation at regular intervals.
The beach where the memorial of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is located has become the centre of the political storm too after caretaker CM O.Panneerselvam staged his revolt there against AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala. “Tomorrow (February 10) from 9 AM students protest and go on hunger strike in Marina beach and VOC Park Coimbatore in support of O. Paneerselvam to become CM of TN again. Please share widely and bring in friends and family. The support expected to be similar in size of Jallikattu protest. It’s our state and it’s our responsibility”, read one of the many variants of the messages doing rounds.
“Agitations and demonstrations are banned in Marina Beach through the powers derived by the City Police Commissioner from section 41(2) of the Madras City Police Act. We are aware of such messages doing rounds. We are prepared to face any deviations, and would initiate stringent action. In this democracy, we have freedom of expression, and is Constitutional. If they would like to hold a democratic protest, there are certain places earmarked for the same. The protesters, whomsoever it maybe, will have to obtain permission by the due process by applying to the City Police. The application will be processed based on the merits”, said a top cop from the City Police.
Asked how that order was earlier flouted during Jallikattu protests, the top cop reasoned that the cause was apolitical and cultural in nature, which required an altogether a different treatment. “We were empathetic towards the demand of the students. So was the State. This is completely different”, the official noted.
