Cops act swiftly to maintain law and order near the resort

A large contingent of police force took over the Koovathur village, which is situated about 55 km  from Chennai and picked up more than 200 people, allegedly supporters of the AIADMK general secretary, from her hometown Mannargudi on Monday night itself. Intelligence inputs had suggested possible violence in the event of the Supreme Court convicting Sasikala and her stayover at the Golden Beach Resort was also considered as an attempt to resist any attempt to take her into custody. 

The DGP had summoned Central Zone IG V Vardharaju and also North Zone IG Senthamarai Kannan to lead the operations at Koovathur and city Additional Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Thamaraikannan was also sent to Koovathur to assist. Sources told DTNext that the police conducted an inspection inside the rooms of the MLAs and evacuated everyone else other than MLAs from the hostel. Police also restricted the vehicle movement on ECR to prevent gathering of Sasikala supporters at the resort venue. 

Police force also had been deployed at all sensitive places including the residence of caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and at Poes Garden. Sources said police anticipated trouble when AIADMK leaders loyal to O Paneerselvam decided to visit the MLAs  at Koovathur and stopped School Education Minister M Pandiarajan at Kovalam. Police requested the Minister to return as it could trigger tension at the resort. Police have also issued prohibitory orders at Koovathur. A section of MLAs had objected to Panneerselvam coming to the resort without their permission. 

“We had deployed the force and the situation was completely under control. We also had taken many in preventive custody so there was no agitation or violence at Koovathur,” a senior police official said.