Following reports by intelligence agencies that miscreants including anti-social and anti-national elements may create further troubles on Marina Beach, which saw the recent Jallikkattu agitation resulting in vandalism necessitating police action, Chennai City Police Commissioner S George has declared Section 144 in the entire area for 15 days with effect from Sunday. This is the first time in the recent history, the Marina Beach has been put under prohibitory orders.
“I, S George, Commissioner of Police, Chennai, as Additional District Magistrate do hereby order that all assemblies, processions, fasts, demonstrations, human chain and meetings are prohibited and frequenting and visiting such purpose by the public in and around the Marina Beach and surrounding areas for a period of 15 days commencing from 00.00 hrs on 29-01-2017 and ending with 24.00 hrs on 12-02-2017 both days inclusive.”
The order proclaiming the declaration of Section 144 says that the recent agitation saw the infiltration of anti-social and anti-national elements into the peaceful agitation conducted by the thousands of people from various walks of life demanding conduct of Jallikkattu in the State resulted in riots with violence and arson causing injuries to police and public and damage of public and private properties.
“There is reason to believe that even after their demands were fulfilled by the Government of Tamil Nadu, anti-socials, anti-nationals and miscreants are trying to spread rumours through the social media inviting the students and others to congregate in large numbers in the Marina by spreading their ideologies against the interest of the nation and State and may again incite or lead acts of violence, mischief and rioting that would affect safety, peace and tranquillity of the citizens,” said the order issued by George.
But the Section 144 would not affect families, children and morning walkers who come to the beach when the prohibitory order is in force, said the order.