Lankan President’s visit rocks Tirumala
Alerted by Tamil Nadu intelligence wing that Tamil outfits will stage protests against the Lankan president, Chittoor police had thrown a security blanket from the airport at Renigunta to the temple town from Friday morning. Throughout the day, even as Tamil Nadu politicians shouted slogans against Rajapaksa in Chennai, hundreds of political workers descended on the town.
One poster carried by the protesters said “Chase out destroyer of 2076 Hindu temples, killer of Hindu temple priests.”
The situation remained tense even when the Lankan President landed at Renigunta airport at 5.40 pm and proceeded in a convoy to a guest house in Tirumala for the night stay. About 20 Tamil protesters were arrested near Tirumal Bhavan when they tried to obstruct the presidential convoy while another 50 activists were arrested in front of the DSP’s office when they burnt Rajapaksa’s effigy.
Unprecedented security arrangements were made across the 15-km road from the airport leading to Alipiri and the 18-km long hill route leading to Tirumala. According to temple officials, Rajapaksa would offer prayers and take part in the ‘Suprabhatha’ Seva at 3 am, Saturday. He will return to Renigunta airport and take off for Colombo at 9.30 am.
The DMK, a key UPA ally, and other members of the Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO) staged a demonstration in Chennai. Karunanidhi charged Rajapaksa government with destroying Tamil art, culture, literature and language in the island nation. Tamil names of Lankan villages have been renamed in Sinhala, he said and exhorted the pro-Tamil groups to teach Rajapaksa a fitting lesson.
M Panja Murthy, 35, doused himself in kerosene and attempted self-immolation in front of Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Friday morning in protest against the visit of Rajapaksa. But the policemen at the governor’s residence pounced on him and stopped him before he set himself ablaze
