CHENNAI: Heavy security was provided to 250 Lankan tourists, who passed through Chennai on Monday on their way to Bodh Gaya in Bihar by train.
Police officials said the security cover had been warranted by the flared temper in Tamil Nadu, over the perceived slight to CM J Jayalalithaa, on a Sri Lankan government website recently.
The pilgrims came to Chennai from Sri Lanka on Sunday and were lodged at Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society on Kenneth lane, Egmore. A three tier security system comprising the city police, GRP and RPF was provided to them as they made their way to the station in three separate batches.
The first batch of 140 pilgrims left in the Ganga-Kaveri Express to Varanasi at 5.40 pm while the other two travelled in the GT Express (departure 7:15 pm) and TN Express (departure 10:00 pm).
“A tight security cordon was provided for the Sri Lankan pilgrims, which included some monks as well, in anticipation of trouble,” a senior police official said.