CHENNAI: Traffic on the arterial roads around Guindy in Chennai came to a standstill this morning as activists protesting in support of the Tamil Nadu farmers literally locked up the Kathipara flyover with iron chains.
The activists were protesting to express solidarity with the prolonged protests, undertaken by the state's farmers at New Delhi over several demands.
The activists, led by Tamil film director Gowthaman, suddenly tied an iron chain across the road on the flyover, thereby bringing the traffic to a complete halt. The flyover is the main connecting point for southern part of the city.
Motorists said the traffic came to a standstill for nearly 3 kilometres. Around 10 am, the police personnel managed to break the chains and free up the restock traffic. All the protesters on the road were removed.
Meanwhile, members of Thanthai Periar Dravida Kazhagam staged a "half-naked" protest on the farmers' issue outside Shastri Bhavan, which houses many central government departments, here.
The activists, among others, pressed for farm loan waiver and also raised slogans against the Central government for not paying heed to the ryots' demands.
(with inputs from PTI)