Tension prevailed in the Nungambakkam in Chennai on Sunday morning after a group of Anna Hazare supporters picketed the house of Home Minister P Chidambaram and demanded action against corruption and fulfilment of demands placed by the social activist.
The protest was organised to lend support to Anna Hazare’s fast in New Delhi on Sunday. The incident also came close on the heels of India Against Corruption (IAC) members trying to gherao the house of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the capital recently.
Around 11.30 am, about 100 protestors assembled in front of Chidambaram’s residence holding flags and placards. As the Union Minister was away in New Delhi, the number of security personnel outside the residence was less, police sources claimed. The protest, they said, caught them unawares.
The IAC supporters shouted slogans accusing the UPA government of “cheating” the people and “plundering the wealth of the nation.” While stressed that all the demands placed by Anna Hazare, including a strong Lokpal Bill be accepted, some women members demanded that the Union Minister immediately return to Chennai and hold talks with them. “Dealing with citizens is the most important duty of a Minister. We want him to come here immediately and hold talks,” said a women protestor.
However, by this time, a strong contingent of police descended on the area and asked the protestors to disperse.
After they refused to leave, they were forcibly removed and taken to a nearby marriage hall. Meanwhile, when the news broke that people were protesting outside Chidambaram’s house, a few members of the Youth Congress rushed to the spot and demanded immediate police action.
Police officials said 65 persons were arrested and later released on bail. Cases have been filed under sections 143 and 188 of the IPC for unlawful assembly and disobedience to orders issued by a public servant.
Comments
0 comment