As a result of the attacks on railway property during protests against the Central Government’s ‘Agnipath’ army recruitment scheme, the Southern Railway has increased security at all major stations in Tamil Nadu, including Chennai Central, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Jholarpet, and Arkonam.
The main route in Chennai leading to the Army officer’s mess and other army installations has been blocked off by the Tamil Nadu Police.
Advertisement
Small demonstrations are taking place in the Kancheepuram and Kumbakonam sectors.
The Tamil Nadu Police are also on high alert after receiving intelligence that some young people from Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar are employed in Tiruppur’s textile factories.
Following the arson and burning of trains in numerous northern states, these teenagers could lead to some attacks on railway stations and railway properties, according to the sources.
Following the death of a young man in police firing in Secunderabad on Friday, the Tamil Nadu Police and Railway Protection Force are not taking any chances.
A major railway stations, riot control vehicles are on standby, and the fire department has been alerted to all major railway station sites.
The trains from Chennai Central railway station have been cancelled due to the Agnipath issue.
Except for Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu has remained largely tranquil in the wake of the Agnipath controversy.
In Tiruppur, protesters shouted slogans and left without causing any damage to public property.
However, security forces are on high alert following intelligence inputs from both the Centre and the state over the possibility of violence spreading to all parts of Tamil Nadu.
(with inputs from IANS)
