Chennai/Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi/Kottayam: Angry AIADMK workers forced shops to down shutters across the state, set a government bus on fire in Kancheepuram, pelted stones at vehicles and blocked roads after the special court in Bengaluru declared AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa guilty in the disproportionate asset case.
There were self-immolation attempts in some parts of the state including two incidents in Chennai. The peak hour rush on city roads was missing since the afternoon as people preferred to remain indoors.
A government bus plying between Poonamallee and Kancheepuram was allegedly set on fire by AIADMK workers at Kamala Street in Kancheepuram. The mob forced all passengers to get down from the bus before setting the vehicle on fire.
Some AIADMK workers attempted self-immolation in front of Jayalalithaa’s residence in Poes Garden, Teynampet and Virugambakkam. Similar incidents were also reported from Tirupur and Coimbatore as well.
AIADMK cadres allegedly attacked mediapersons who had gathered in front of Jayalalithaa’s residence.
AIADMK cadres burnt effigies of Dr Subramaniam Swamy, who first moved the court seeking a probe against Jayalalithaa’s disproportionate assets, and DMK leader Karunanidhi.
Security was beefed up at Subramaniam Swamy’s residence on Papanasa Sivam Road in Santhome despite the fact that the residence of the BJP leader is unoccupied.
Inter-state bus services stopped
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) suspended all its services to Tamil Nadu by terminating them near the border. The decision was taken following fear of attack on buses.
P.M. Sharaf Mohammed, executive director, and operations told Deccan Chronicle: “We’ve stopped services from all depots to various places in Tamil Nadu as of now. I have instructed various depot in-charges to call back the buses currently in Tamil Nadu. The situation will be reviewed tonight or tomorrow morning and further decision will be taken.”
The private operators too cancelled their services to various points in the neighbouring state.
“We’ve cancelled all the services to Chennai and others points for the day,” said a dealer of the Kallada Travels, Kochi.
KSRTC operates buses to Tamil Nadu from the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad.
