Tension at Madurai airport as TTV, OPS supporters clash

Dinakaran, who participated in various programmes, including a public meeting in Nagercoil on Saturday on the occasion of birth anniversary of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and Panneerselvam, who went to Sanakarankovil to participate in a family function were on their way back to Chennai. They reached Madurai airport on Sunday more or less the same time.  

Even before their arrival, supporters of both the leaders had gathered at the airport. As time went by more and more supporters swelled inside the airport and as it was time for the leaders to arrive both the camps started raising slogans. The slogans were targeted at each other and as it got intensified, a verbal quarrel broke out between them. 

Following that slippers were thrown at each other and police had to intervene. The men in khaki resorted to a mild lathi charge to chase away supporters of both the leaders. 

However, both the leaders arrived and went inside the airport without any hassle. But the other passengers, who came to the terminal, were forced to run for their safety as tension prevailed there due to the clash and throwing of slippers by the cadre. They were visibly irked by the behaviour of the supporters. 

However, this is not the first time that both the supporters had clashed in Madurai airport. On September 8 last year, the supporters of both the leaders clashed on the premises.