CHENNAI: As sporadic protests by political parties and various groups over the Cauvery issue in the city continue, police personnel have cordoned off Thiruvidanthai in Kancheepuram district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will inaugurate the Defence Expo - 2018 on Thursday.As police suspect fringe outfits and political parties to protest against Modi by waving black flags, around 5,000 police personnel have been deployed in the city and at the expo venue.
Also, Special Action Force and Special Task Force have been roped in and a three-tier security has been arranged at the airport, IIT-M and Cancer Institute, Adyar. Sources said Modi will reach Chennai airport around 9.25 am and will fly to Mamallapuram by helicopter by 9.50 am and by road to the venue. Again, he will reach IIT-M by helicopter and visit Adyar Cancer Institute. Also, Indian Coast Guard and Coastal Security Group CID officials have also been roped in to monitor the State’s coast.
Meanwhile, political parties have issued statements that they would protest near the airport with black flags. Also, East Coast Road has been cordoned off and vehicles are diverted via Old Mahabalipuram Road.
Opposition ready with black flags
Opposition parties and several organisations are gearing up to wave black flags to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits the city on Thursday to protest the Centre’s delay in constituting Cauvery Management Board (CMB), despite a six-week deadline set by Supreme Court by its February 16 order.
DMK sources said partymen would line up from Saidapet to Airport waving black flags though the Prime Minister would take the aerial route to reach the venues of both functions, one at Cancer Institute in Guindy and the other at the ongoing Defence Expo at Tiruvidanthai near here. Other parties in the Opposition combine would also join the stir to show black flags to Modi.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko announced that he would lead a black flag demonstration at Chinnamalai in Saidapet. He said the black flag demonstration would be held to protest against the Prime Minister’s visit as he had been acting against the interests of Tamil Nadu on a host of issues, including Cauvery, NEET, neutrino project, hydrocarbon project and methane extraction project, and attempt of Hindutva forces to shake the country’s secular fabric.
The decision to show black flags to the Prime Minister was taken at an emergency meeting of the DMK executive committee on March 30. Later, an all-party meeting convened by the DMK on April 1 decided to stage the protest on behalf of the Opposition.
They also appealed to the public to hoist black flags in their houses and wear black shirts or black badges to register their protest.Tamilar Kalai Ilakkiya Panbattu Peravai, an umbrella body of filmmakers, actors and political outfits, have also announced a black flag stir. Top figures of Kollywood are expected to join the protest.
Traffic diversion for Modi visit
Saidapet to Airport
DMK sources said partymen would line up from Saidapet to Airport waving black flags though the PM would take the aerial route to reach the venues
As PM Narendra Modi arrives in Chennai, here are the traffic diversion routes you should take
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