Search the Internet          Tips

Rajni allotted venue in Chennai for fast,
Neyveli team finalises details

Karnataka's intransigence over sharing of Cauvery waters is exacerbating the differences in the Tamil film industry with the majority keen on staging a protest rally in Neyveli while superstar Rajnikanth wants to register his protest with a day-long fast in Chennai.

Rajnikanth has sought permission to observe the fast on Saturday, the same day his colleagues propose to hold the rally. Neyveli is home to some thermal power units, which supply power to Karnataka.

The South Indian Film Artists Association has requested Rajnikanth to postpone his fast.

Earlier in the day, Chennai Police Commissioner K Vijayakumar rejected all three venues proposed by Rajnikanth, but granted permission to observe the fast outside the state government's guest house in Chepauk locality.

Despite being a small area, the sanctioned location has been the authorised venue for all those wanting to hold anti-government demonstrations, a kilometre away from the state secretariat.

In a statement, Rajnikanth's aide K Satyanarayana appealed to the actor's fans and leaders of political parties not to visit the venue, given the narrowness of the road leading to it, to avoid any sort of problem.

Rajnikanth had earlier requested the SIFAA not to go ahead with the Neyveli rally fearing heightening of tensions between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and also a security problem as about 7,000 film personalities were expected to converge on the lignite town in Cuddalore district.

But the security of the artists is not the only cause for concern for the state government. The region is a hotbed of pan-Tamil militancy and also a feuding spot for the Pattali Makkal Katchhi and the Dalit Panthers.

A 9000-strong police force, led by ADGP Natarajan, is to be deployed in the town on Saturday and other senior officials would also be present in the town.

The Central Industrial Security Force is believed to be deploying additional personnel in the Neyveli Lignite Corporation township, NLC offices and units.

Bharati Raaja and actor Vijaykanth have been meeting their colleagues and friends in the film industry in Chennai to finalise the details of their travel plans and the rally.

However, fearing violence, DMK president M Karunanidhi has advised pro-DMK artists against participating in the Neyveli rally.

With inputs from PTI

Cauvery Water Dispute: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report