Marina flash mob vigil irks city cops

The city police had earlier denied permission for the gathering citing prohibitory orders under section 41 of the Madras City Police Act, which debars any assembly on Marina beach other than for recreation purposes. 

However, the ‘May 17 Movement’ had declared that it would go ahead with the event as planned. Apprehending the huge congregation, a posse of police force had been posted on the Marina beach and the service lane was closed for all vehicular traffic between Gandhi statue and Labour statue since afternoon.

Police first managed to detain as many as 15 members believed to be supporters of May 17 Movement sporting black shirts featuring the images of slain LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran, and took them into preventive custody. The participants gathered at Kannagi statue and Valluvar statue, simultaneously keeping the cops on tenterhooks.

“We have been remembering the genocide of Tamils in Lanka by candle light vigil for 7 years. The government should organise the event to commemorate the genocide. EPS government which has become BJP’s proxy government has decided not to permit, and we condemn it strongly,” the movement’s organiser Thirumurgan Gandhi told DTNext.

A total of 249 men and women were arrested of which 34, including Thirumurugan Gandhi and director Gowthaman, were remanded in judicial custody.