In light of the clash between the people of Chennai and the police at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Tuesday, 10 April, cases have been registered in Triplicane police station against lyricist Vairamuthu Ramasamy, director P Bharathiraja, MLA Karunas and 500 other protesters, who were marching against the KKR vs CSK match that took place.
Along with this, ANI reports, 21 workers of Naam Tamilar Katchi, were arrested and sent to Puzhal Central Prison, for their role in the protests. The charges against them include beating up some policemen on duty.
As reported by The News Minute, the cadres of the Tamizhar Vazhvu Urmayi Katchi (TVK) wanted to march from Anna Salai and storm into the Chepauk stadium. They were held up by the police, however, and pushed into the vans. When a new wave of protesters emerged not long after, the police set up barricades to ward them off, but they successfully managed to go through them, the report adds.
As tension over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute mounted, the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai had turned into a virtual fortress with 2,000 policemen deployed for security ahead of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) versus Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) match, which was scheduled for 8 pm on Tuesday. These policemen also included commandos and members of the Rapid Action Force.
Police even resorted to lathicharge as hundreds marched towards the Chepauk Stadium from Anna Salai.
Chennaiites had painted their faces yellow, made placards reading ‘thala Dhoni’ and are ready to watch the yellow jerseys in action, even as tension over Tuesday’s match mounted.
Opposition to the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches has intensified with several political leaders and film personalities asking for the matches to be postponed. A fringe group has even threatened the players.
For the last few days, Tamil Nadu has been protesting against the Centre’s inaction to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) in compliance with the 16 February order of the Supreme Court on the water-sharing dispute with Karnataka.
Just Want to Watch The Game: Fans
IPL fans told The Quint that they just wanted to watch the match and cheer for their favourite team.
Police Detain Unruly Protesters
PTI reported one incident of protesters burning the Chennai Super Kings jerseys. According to The News Minute, TV visuals confirmed assault of fans wearing Chennai Super King jerseys. Some women fans who were wearing the CSK jerseys were harassed as well and asked to change.
Two activists belonging to a pro-Tamil outfit threw slippers in the ground while the Chennai Super Kings-Kolkata Knight Riders match was in progress at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, police said to PTI.
The activists, reportedly belonging to the Naam Tamizhar outfit, were detained, and the match continued unaffected.
The slippers reportedly fell near CSK fielder Ravindra Jadeja.
A few members of the fringe outfit Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) created a ruckus near the stadium on Tuesday after which eight people were detained by the Chennai police.
Directors Bharathiraja, Ram and Vetrimaran flagged by lyricist Vairamuthu were also halted by the police when they reached the spot, who said that they could not pass through until members of the NTK were detained. This led to a standoff between the two parties, reports The News Minute.
Just a day back, TVK leader Velmurugan had warned of protests at the Chidambaram (Chepauk) stadium. However, he told PTI that his party or outfits aligned with them were not against the players.
We are not threatening any players. They all are foreign players and players of Hindi origin. They might not be aware of this issue. Hence we are appealing to them to support our cause. Our cadre has bought tickets. We will enter the stadium tomorrow and register our protest in a democratic manner.Velmurugan, TVK Leader
Actor Rajinikanth had suggested that CSK team players sport black bands as a mark of solidarity. He had said the Centre might face the wrath of entire Tamil Nadu if CMB was not set up immediately.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Working President MK Stalin had said the organisers of the IPL matches should realise the issues faced by the people and act accordingly.
Veteran film director Bharathiraja, also told that IPL will "divert" the prevailing "awakening" among youth in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery issue.
Asked Union Home Secy to Ensure Proper Security: Rajeev Shukla
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday sought intervention of the Centre for smooth conduct of Chennai Super Kings matches amidst demands that the Twenty20 League be suspended in the city till the Cauvery water dispute reached a settlement.
Shukla met with Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, requesting him to ensure security arrangements for uninterrupted hosting of the matches.
Various political parties and outfits have demanded that the IPL matches not be held at a time when the state is witnessing widespread agitations on the issue.
Hours before the CSK-KKR tie, some pro-Tamil activists tried to stage a demonstration outside the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai against holding of the IPL fixtures in Tamil Nadu.
The activists of T Velumurugan-led Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) tried to picket the stadium, but were immediately removed by the police.
The slogan-shouting activists demanded that IPL matches be not held in the city.
I met the Union Home Secretary (Rajiv Gauba) requesting him to ensure that IPL matches in Chennai are conducted smoothly. The Home Secretary spoke to DGP (Tamil Nadu) and asked him to ensure that there are no security issues for the fans.Rajeev Shukla, Chairman, Indian Premier League
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