Cops get smarter, save US mission
Embarrassed by the violent demonstration by a Muslim outfit outside the US consulate general the previous day, the Chennai police gathered its wits and enough forces on Saturday to halt another angry Muslim group at safe distance from the rattled mission at the busy Gemini circle.
The Muslims are protesting against an American short film, ‘Innocence of Muslims’ that triggered violence against US missions in the Muslim world.
Members of the Tamilnadu Tauheed Jamaat, including many women and children, marched towards the US consulate general but were stopped by the police cordon at safe distance.
They shouted slogans and waved placards that had condemnatory messages against the US Government and President Obama.
With the protesters spilling all over the place, traffic on the arterial Anna Road was badly affected in the morning.
The traffic police had a tough time managing the vehicular movement. Many office-goers and students found it hard to reach destinations on time.
Since there are many hospitals in the area, the patients being rushed to emergency help were badly affected as their ambulances got stuck in the clogged road.
“It is chaotic, but at least, there has not been any violence. That was not the case yesterday”, said a local businessman.
Police said some protesters were picked up and later released.
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