Defying HC and prohibitory orders, Islamic outfits stage anti-CAA rally

Defying the Madras High Court directive and the prohibitory orders, thousands of Muslims, including women and children, today took out a rally to lay siege to the State Secretariat demanding adoption of a resolution against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPA) in the State Assembly.

Various Muslims organization, who were staging protests across Tamil Nadu since Friday last, intensified their protests under the banner of Federation of Tamil Nadu Islamic and Political Organisations to press their demand.

Carrying National flags and shouting anti-CAA slogans and denouncing the ruling AIADMK and BJP-led NDA at the Centre for the passage of the CAA in Parliament, members of the Islamic outfits assembled near the Kalaivanar Arangam on the Wallajah Road in a bid to take out a march to the Secretariat, but were stopped by the police near the State Guest House.

More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed on security duty on the entire stretch of Wallajah Road and barricades were put up to prevent them from entering the beach road stretch.

Security were also tightened on the beach road and near the Secretariat, as the Assembly was in session.

The roads leading to Secretariat and War Memorial was blocked as a precautionary measure.

Police have also deployed five drones to monitor the situation on the Wallajah Road where the Federation leaders addressed the protestors from a make shift dais.

Though the protestors outnumbered the police, the agitation passed off peacefully.

After a nearly three hour long protests, the agitators in the city dispersed, as the court has refused permission for the rally.

Similar protests were also held in several parts of the State, where tens and hundreds of Muslims took out a march to the District Collectorates.

Leaders of various Opposition parties, including the DMK, VCK, MDMK, the Left parties, SDPI, IUML, MLAs, Karunaas and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi leader Thameemun Ansari (who won on AIADMK ticket in 2016 Assembly polls) lent their support to the rally.

Vehicular movement on the Arterial Anna Salai and surrounding areas were badly hit in view of the rally and traffic was diverted.

Meanwhile, a section of Muslims, who were staging protests in Old Washermenpet since Friday, condemning the police action on protestors, continued their sit-in for the sixth consecutive day.

Meanwhile, a section of protestors also attempted to take out a march to the Chennai Collectorate, but were thwarted by the police.

The Madras High Court has restrained the Federation from laying siege to the Secretariat, but the protesters defied the Court order and went ahead with their stir to lay siege to Fort St George, housing the State Assembly.

Reports from districts said similar demonstrations were held in Vellore, Coimbatore, Trichy, Tuticorin and other places.

The protests were held a day after a combative Chief Minister K Palaniswami targetted the DMK for misleading the Muslims that CAA would affect  them  and for enacting a drama to disturb peace.

Replying in the Assembly, Mr Palaniswami asked the DMK to provide details as to who were, born and living in in Tamil Nadu, were affected by the CAA.

''Give us the details on who is affected by the CAA in the State. I am ready to reply'', a combative Palaniswami said.

''Tell me which minority is affected by the CAA in the State. Give us the details, I am ready to reply to it'', he thundered, turning the tables on the DMK.

He also accused the DMK of enacting a drama and deceiving the minorities on CAA to create problems in the State, which remained a haven of peace.

Mr Palaniswami also reiterated that none of the Muslims would be affected by the CAA and asserted that his government would not allow any move that would affect them.