Madurai cadre shave heads for Kalaignar

The cadre created makeshift altars and paid their respect by placing garlands on Karunanidhi’s portraits. Several of them also shaved off their heads in show of homage to their departed leader.

Also, except for a few shops selling essential supplies such as milk and medicines, almost all commercial establishments remained shut throughout the day. Public transport came to a standstill in many parts of the district. Even bus stations wore a deserted look while fleet of buses remained in the depots. Most of the roads wore a deserted look but commuters with private vehicles faced inconvenience as a number of fuel stations remained shut. 

Trains, however, were operational as per the schedule at Madurai railway junction. But, there was only a thin trickle of passengers and most of the bogies remained vacant. 

Cutting across barriers, cadres of all political parties united to take out silent processions to mark the day of mourning in various districts. 

Meanwhile, in Ramanathapuram district, two buses near Akkamadam suffered damage on Tuesday night after some miscreants’ pelted stones at its windscreen. At Kayalpattinam, which is known as ‘Kalaignarpattinam’ -- a locality near Arumuganeri in Thoothukudi district -- all shops remained closed since Tuesday evening while black flags were put up at various places. Abubucker, a resident of Kayalpattinam, said “Tuesday was a black day for the people here. Most of them travelled to Marina beach in Chennai to witnessed the funeral.”