Protesters sneak into stadium, hurl shoe

Despite the deployment of a massive 4,000-strong police team, CMB protesters reached  the Chepauk stadium ahead of the IPL match on Tuesday between Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders and hurled a shoe at the field

The unexpected action by the protesters inside the stadium was preceded by an ‘unprecedented march’ through Anna Salai, which brought traffic to a standstill on the arterial stretch and branching roads. 

The protest started intensifying around 4 pm after around 3,000 protesters belonging to various political outfits - Naam Tamilar Katchi, VCK, Rajini Makkal Mandram, Tamizhar Ezhuchi Iyakkam, December 3 movement, May 17 Movement, SDPI, RSYF, MNJK and individuals -  started congregating at Walajah Road, the stretch that leads to the stadium. 

After high drama and subsequent lathi charge in front of the stadium to disperse the protesters, who tried to halt the game and players, police rounded up as many as 780 persons, including members of Naam Tamilar Katchi, who threw a footwear into the ground when the match was on. The protests, however, lasted only till the match between Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Rider started. 

Tension prevailed in areas around the stadium since afternoon 

when members of Velmurugan’s Thamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) tried to lock the entrance to the stadium. 

However, their attempt was foiled by the police and they were taken to the Triplicane police station.