A demonstration by VCK cadres against the India visit of Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa derailed traffic in busy Nungambakkam and the surrounding areas Friday.

The police arrested over 150 cadres, including party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan. The angry demonstrators burnt the Lankan president’s effigy, besides damaging a police van and assaulting a two-wheeler rider who, along with other motorists, kept honking to show their irritation for the traffic hold-up.

Though the demonstration was announced for 11 am, heavy police deployment was seen from early morning in and around Sterling Road where the Sri Lankan high commission is located.

Around 11 am, motorists waiting on Nelson Manickam Road for more than an hour to turn into Sterling Road started honking together. This angered a few VCK cadres who charged towards them, shouting. One of the two-wheeler riders shouted back at a VCK cadre.

The partyman went back to his group and returned with five others and attacked the motorist, who was later identified by police as Sundar.

Though the police tried to protect Sundar, the VCK cadres dragged him and assaulted him. It was only later the police rescued the victim.

Many car-users said they had to spend two hours inside their vehicles. “I used to take 30 minutes to reach my office in Nungambakkam from my house in Virugambakkam.

Today, it took two-and-a-half hours. I don’t know what these protesters are going to achieve by creating problems for road-users.

The past 10 days have been bad because of various protests. I am sure the man who made the movie on Prophet is not going to get affected by protests here.

Likewise, Rajapaksa is also not going to get stranded on the road because of protests on Sterling Road,” said Mr Anbu C., working for an advertising firm.

Sudden showers throw life, traffic out of gear

The pools of stagnant water after the heavy showers on Thursday night made traffic crawl in several parts of the city. In fact, traffic came to a standstill in several areas due to this. Residents of low-lying areas faced the brunt of the downpour as their normal life was disrupted.

Due to strong winds, trees were uprooted in a few places and the fire and rescue services had to be called in to clear the lumber to ensure free flow of traffic.

Fever clinics in government hospitals are on high alert following a spurt in malaria and dengue as the mosquito menace is getting out of control.

Residents of low-lying areas like Vyasarpadi, Korukkupet and Velachery dread the monsoon season as it means disruption of their normal life and increase in water-borne diseases.

Elaborating on the inconvenience faced during the monsoon, Mr Pandian of Vyasarpadi said, “Ganeshapuram is the worst affected during the monsoon and rainwater gets stagnated under the bridge, leaving the motorists and pedestrians no choice but to wade in it.

The worst part is the perennial fear of malaria and dengue as mosquitoes breed quickly in the stagnant water.”

He also pointed out that the stormwater drains in the area are never cleaned and when water gets collected at the dumping yard in R.R. Nagar, the area becomes literally unlivable due to the stench and mosquito menace.

Health inspectors in all the districts have been instructed to conduct fever surveillance and go door-to-door and interact with the public.

If anyone shows signs of dengue, their blood samples are collected and sent to labs and treatment is initiated at government hospitals for those testing positive.