Around 1,500 AIADMK cadres staged a fast at Sungam gate
AIADMK cadres form a human chain on arterial Ukkadam Athupalam Road. (Photo:DC )
Coimbatore/Namakkal: A series of peaceful demonstrations, rallies and pujas in temples marked the ongoing protests in the western districts against the arrest of AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa. Private buses, too, stayed off the roads.
In a novel protest, Limca record holder Kumar drove his car only with his legs from Palani to the Bengaluru high court. He tied his hands with a rope while driving with his legs. He began his journey by performing a puja at the Palani temple and drove through Namakkal district to Bengaluru.
Around 1,500 AIADMK cadres staged a fast at Sungam gate, near Keerambur, while 1,000 persons of the Arunthathiar community went on a fast in front of the tahsildar’s office on Mohanur Road in Namakkal.
Similarly, around 200 members of the AIADMK women’s wing, led by its district president Vairam Tamilarasi, partook munsoru (food served on the ground) at a temple in Namakkal. Member of Parliament P.R. Sundaram took part in this ritual. Around 50,000 powerloom units went on a strike in the Trichengode area.
Party workers carried 1,008 milk pots (paal kudam) from Jedarpalayam and performed abishekam at Lord Murugan temple in Kabilarmalai. They also formed a human chain for around 12 km from Pallipalayam to Kumarapalayam. A similar human chain was formed by AIADMK workers from Aathupalam to Anaimalai, in Coimbatore. Private buses stayed off the roads as the bus owners and crew held a fast in Coimbatore and the western districts.
“Of the total 352 buses, 180 are town buses, while 172 are operated to the Pollachi and Mettupalayam areas. The buses were off the roads from 6 am to 6 pm,” said Mr Durai Kannan, secretary of the Coimbatore District Bus Owners Association. However, since it was a Sunday, people were not affected much due to the protest by private bus owners.
The Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu has declared a holiday for all private schools in the state, demanding the release of Ms Jayalalithaa.
“As the principals, teachers and founders of private schools are participating in a protest meet at the directorate of school education premises on October 7, the 4,500 private schools across the state will not function on the day,” said Mr D.C. Elangovan, secretary of the federation.
Similarly, the Association of Management of Coimbatore Anna University affiliated colleges has decided not to work on October 7, to protest Ms Jayalalithaa’s arrest.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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