CHENNAI: A City police sub inspector was shifted to the control room after a video of him snatching a few Indian flags and throwing them in a plastic container near MA Chidambaram stadium during the Pakistan-Afghanistan World cup cricket match went viral.
Local BJP functionaries demanded action against the police official claiming that he disrespected the tricolour and did not allow Indian flags to be carried into the stadium
The sub-inspector, identified as Nagarajan was attached to the Sembium police station and was posted on bandobust duty outside the cricket stadium.
"Local vendors were selling flags and t-shirts. The sub-inspector had acted that way as rules do not permit sale of items within few meters of the stadium. He collected the flags and had put them in a box, " said a senior police officer.
The personnel were also instructed to look for controversial posters and sign boards, but there were no restrictions on flags, police said. Because of the backlash, City police transferred the concerned sub inspector to modern control room.
Giving a political shade to the incident, TN BJP President, K Annamalai took to the social media site, X (formerly Twitter) and said, "Udhay Stalin had problems with the Jai Shri Ram chant during the Cricket match against Pakistan, having forgotten the treatment meted out to our players in Pakistan in the past. DMK Minister Ponmudi's son and TNCA President Ashok Sigamani have taken their political propaganda one step further and have insulted our Nation's flag today."