Chennai: Several youths entered into the water off Marina Beach on Wednesday afternoon to protest against the hydrocarbon project in Neduvasal and in support of the farmers’ protest in New Delhi. Armed with placards, as many as 18 youngsters entered the sea hoping to invite attention to their protest.
The call for protests in Marina had begun flooding the social networking sites from 8 am onwards and the cops had stepped up their vigil in Marina beach in anticipation. However, the group managed to sneak into the sea. As TV channels beamed the protest live, the protesters believed that they would be able to garner more support.
Cops roped in the support of local fishermen to pull out the protesters from the sea opposite the PWD office on Kamarajar Salai. They managed to pull out as many as 11 persons while 7 managed to give the cops the slip.
Another group resorted to a flash protest in the Marina Beach service lane near Tiruvalluvar statue. Some also beamed their protest live in Facebook hoping to garner support. Cops, who were also monitoring the social networking sites, were on to what the youth from Theni were attempting and whisked him away.
The protest had led to the closure of nearly 400 shops on the sands of Marina.
Farmers’ association leader Deivasigamani rushed to the spot and appealed to the youth not to risk their lives in the name of protest. He also urged the protesters to resort to more peaceful, and democratic approach.
In January, Marina beach had become the epicentre of protests in support of jallikattu. The protest prompted the State to bring about a legislation, which got the assent of the President paving to the legalised conduct of the bull taming sport.
