CAA: No HC Nod For Chennai Protest March

Chennai: Thousands of people converged on Wednesday to participate in a protest march against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The demonstrators originally planned to march to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat complex and lay siege to it. However, the Tamil Nadu High Court has refused permission to the protesters to march to the state secretariat. The Tamil Nadu state assembly is holding its Budget session currently.

The anti-CAA protesters responding to a call mainly by Muslim groups, will therefore, march to Chepauk which is the designated protest site in Chennai. The demonstrators have stated that they have five demands:

• Withdrawal of the CAA by the Centre

• Passage of resolution against CAA in the Tamil Nadu assembly

• Repeal of National Register of Citizens (NRC) by the Union government.

• Cancellation of the proposed National Population Register (NPR)

• Action against policemen who cracked down on February 14 against protesters on the Old Washemanpet area of Chennai.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the Chennai police. Buses have been placed alongside the march route to facilitate shifting of demonstrators, if needed. Policemen have also installed videography units on rooftops to ensure that there is no untoward incident and to take swift action.

In recent days, Chennai has witnessed A Shaheen Bagh-like stir against the CAA in the Old Washermanpet area. The peaceful protest led mainly by groups of women, was however, marred by clashes between anti-CAA protesters and police. Many police personnel including the joint commissioner of police, B. Vijayakumari and others, were injured in incidents of stone pelting. Some protesters were also injured in the police action.