Cong workers to raise black flags against Modi; police watchful

CHENNAI: With Congress party workers planning to raise black flags and send black balloons into the sky during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chennai as a mark of protest against the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha, Chennai Police have fortified security at Marina Beach and in the event venues to prevent untoward incidents.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) announced black flag demonstration led by state party president KS Alagiri at Valluvar Kottam at 11 am, against the Prime Minister. However, police are not leaving anything to chance and are keeping an eye on congress party workers who they suspect to have planned to protest without prior information to the police.

As part of security arrangements for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chennai, police commissioner Shankar Jiwal has invoked a ban on flying drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Chennai skies on April 8 from 6 am to 10 pm.

Armed reserve police personnel will roam on the beach sands to monitor the public along with all-terrain vehicles and mounted squad, police said. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) personnel have been roped in to monitor Cooum River, underneath the Napier Bridge to check for any suspicious activities.