CHENNAI: Chennai’s police commissioner S George has ordered his staff to inspect the guest logs of hotels, service apartments, lodges and marriage halls to see if any troublemakers have checked in, after rumours spread about possible protests taking place as the current tussle for political power plays out in the state capital of Tamil Nadu.
Alongside, police have been told to carry out intensive vehicle checks, especially at entry points to Chennai and in the streets of the city. Orders have gone out from the police commissioner’s office to all police stations to intensify patrolling.
The trigger for police commissioner George’s urgency is the spread of rumours that AIADMK cadres are likely to stage protests in Chennai as the tussle continues between two factions of the party, one owing allegiance to its general secretary V K Sasikala and the other rallying behind the caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam.
Police commissioner George has asked all his subordinate officers to file situation reports on the current law and order scene in Chennai. All police stations in Chennai have been asked to file status reports to the police commissioner.
These measures have come two days after police commissioner George, Tamil Nadu chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and Director-General of Police T K Rajendran were called for a briefing with governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan on Friday with regard to the situation in the state after the political fallout.