MGR fete banners defaced by residents

Sunil Jayaram, a resident of Chitlapakkam, said, “The banners were erected on GST Road and pavements.

It obstructs us from using the pathway.”

He added, “Had it been one or two banners, we could have still put up with it but one is erected every 10 feet. This is not acceptable. We have made many complaints to the authorities, but no action has been taken yet,” he added.

Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, a social activism group, posted a picture on their social media page,

where the political leaders’ visages were defaced using a black spray paint. “If you advertise your faces on our roads and pavements, we will spray your face too,” read the post, borrowing Bigg Boss contestant Oviya’s popular line.

“If the authorities don’t take action, then the public takes matter into their hands,” said Sunil.

Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam, who has been fighting the banner menace for years, said, “We complained to the Greater Chennai Corporation on Tuesday and I got a call from the Alandur AE on Wednesday saying that the banners will be removed that night.” He added, “Despite several orders from the High Court, banners were put up from Guindy railway station up to Urapakkam.

They have also damaged public property in many places, which is a serious offence.”