Shut meat stalls during Ganesh fest days: Police circular sparks row

CHENNAI: A circular allegedly issued by a police Inspector in neighbouring Kancheepuram district, asking for meat and biriyani stalls near Sankara Mutt to close their shutters on two days (September 2 and September 4) to ‘facilitate smooth procession’ of Vinayakar idols has stoked controversy.

The circular was issued on August 25 by J Vinayakam, Inspector, Siva Kanchi police station. When contacted, Siva Kanchi police officers said the circular has been withdrawn and it was a ‘miscommunication’ among the police personnel which spread such news.

The circular had called for shutting down meat and biryani stalls in Sengaluneer Odai street and Sankara mutt that falls within Siva Kanchi police station limits.

When contacted, a senior police officer neither confirmed nor denied the issuance of the circular.

“Whatever the practice was in place in the earlier years to facilitate smooth procession of idols will be followed this year too,” the police officer told DT Next.

Police sources said a departmental enquiry will be conducted into the matter. Sources close to the development claimed the personnel at the Siva Kanchi police station misconstrued the Inspector’s instructions which led to the situation.

“Before we could address the issue, the circular was photographed and leaked,” said a police officer.

The circular has already created a furore in social media, receiving condemnation from several quarters.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Vanniyarasu took to Twitter and condemned the circular. Resorting to sarcasm, the VCK leader tweeted that police should give extra protection to biriyani and meat stalls on the days of the procession as there are chances of anti-social elements intruding in the procession and stealing from the shops.