FIR against Stalin for violating ban on protests on Marina

As a first step, the Marina police have registered an FIR against Leader of Opposition M K Stalin and several other DMK cadre for violating the ban on protests at Marina and conducting a hunger strike at Gandhi Statue on Kamarajar Salai on Saturday, condemning the police high-handedness against DMK MLAs and their forceful eviction from the Assembly. 

The FIR has been filed under Section 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) read with Section 41 of Madras City Police Act (Regulation of meetings and assembly at public places). 

Maintaining that M K Stalin was already arrested and released for conducting the protest fast on Kamarajar Salai, violating the ban, senior police officers said that there was no move to arrest him again as per the FIR registered. 

Police also clarified there was no political arm-twisting behind the registration of case against the Opposition Leader and maintained that public protests and meetings are banned on the Marina invoking Sections of Madras City Police Act and anybody who violates the ban would be booked and prosecuted. 

Recently, police had even declared Section 144 (prohibitory orders) following a mass pro-jallikattu protest on the Marina. The protest ended in violence following police action and police had issued a public advisory, highlighting the fact that public protests, marches and meetings are banned on Marina and violators will be booked. 

Meanwhile, taking the protest from the Assembly onto the streets against the autocratic conduct of the Assembly, Stalin has announced that DMK would be conducting a one-day token fast protest across the state on February 22. 

In a statement, Stalin said his party condemns the adoption of trust vote after eviction of his party members and added that DMK would stage the hunger strike from 9 am to 5 pm against the manner in which floor test was conducted.