CHENNAI: The Marina beach, which is usually packed with people on weekends, witnessed a complete shutdown on Sunday with the State government anticipating protests demanding that the Cauvery Management Board be set up.
The beach stretch along Kamarajar Promenade, which witnesses a footfall of more than 15,000 on holidays, received only a handful of visitors on Sunday.
People were allowed to the beach only after being vetted by the 200-odd police personnel on the Marina. Ever since last year’s Jallikattu protests, the city police had banned assembly of people on the beach by enforcing the regulatory order.
“We have been instructed to prevent only large groups of youth and potential problem-makers. We don’t disturb families and couples,” said a police officer stationed near Gandhi statue.
Placing barricades along all major inlets to Kamarajar Promenade such as Santhome High Road, Radhakrishnan Salai, Bharathi Salai and Wallajah Road, police undertook a largescale profiling of visitors to ensure there is no repeat of Jallikattu protests. They also kept a close watch of the beach front from the Lighthouse using binoculars.
Though the Cauvery cause has not gained traction like the Jallikattu issue, police told Express that preventive measures had to be taken. “While most youth groups clearly had no intention of protesting, we had to send them back,” said a police officer on condition of anonymity.
The eateries, which line the Marina, also remained closed. Usually, Sunday is easily the best business day for the fast food joints and snack parlours.
“When the small group of protesters were detained by police, we knew they would close the beach tomorrow,” said K Moosa of Nochikuppam, who runs a fish fry stall on the beach.
A few others at Nochikuppam fish market said Sundays bring large groups and maximum profits. “While closing down for a day is not a big problem, we hope the situation does not persist,” said one of them.
However lack of food joints did not hamper families and couples, who had passed the anti-protest profiling measures, from enjoying a hustle-free Sunday on the Marina.
Ramadoss demands protesters’ release
Condemning the arrest of people who protested on the Marina on Saturday seeking the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board, PMK founder S Ramadoss has sought their immediate release.
In a statement, he charged the Tamil Nadu government with crushing the demonstration for Cauvery waters, only with a view to “appeasing its masters in Delhi”. When Marina was the ideal place for huge gatherings, why should the government resort to oppressive measures, he asked.
He said voluntary protests by people could not be contained through such measures. The stir for rights over the Cauvery would certainly be successful.
Koyambedu market to remain closed on Apr 3
Chennai: Extending their support to the hunger strike called by the AIADMK government demanding the constitution of Cauvery Management Board (CMB), Koyambedu vegetable merchants association has said all markets across Tamil Nadu will remain closed on April 3. Koyambedu Vegetable Fruit Flower Merchants Welfare Association treasurer P Sukumar said the market will remain closed from 2 am to 6 pm on April 3.
“Other markets across Tamil Nadu will also participate in the strike,” he said. Meanwhile, DMK working president M K Stalin appealed to Tamil Nadu Vanigarsankangalin Peramaippu leader Vikiramaraja to postpone the April 3 shutdown called by traders and hold it on April 5, considering the public exam schedule. Several opposition parties’ leaders, including Stalin, were detained on Sunday for staging protests. Stalin’s son Udhayanithi Stalin also took part in the demonstration.