Traffic across the city was severely hit and people were forced to walk several kilometres as thousands of Muslims gathered near the Anna statue roundabout at Chinthamani on Saturday to stage a demonstration against an anti-Muslim film made in the US. The protestors, led by Tiruchy town Jama-A-Thul Ulama Moulavi TK Mohammed Yusuf, demanded the immediate arrest of the people behind the production of the movie, Innocence of Muslims.
In view of the protest, all buses coming to the Chathiram bus stand were diverted through Palpannai. That led to heavy traffic congestion, as all vehicles were diverted through the same route. Most of the passengers, including women and children, got down at Amma Mandapam and walked to the Chathiram bus stand.
Bus conductors had a tough time explaining the situation to the passengers who picked up quarrels with them. All arterial roads of the city were choked. It took a long time for office goers to return home.
The protesters demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh summon the American Ambassador to India to register his protest. They also sought a State government resolution in the Assembly on the issue.
Muslim organisations conducted meetings at various mosques to ensure discipline during protests. Members of 14 Muslim organisations, including the Indian Union Muslim League, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, SDPI, Popular Front of India, Thouheed Jamaat, Kalam Welfare Association and Pasme Rabbania, participated. A heavy posse of police was deployed all over the city under the direct supervision of City Police Commissioner Shailesh Kumar Yadav and Deputy Commissioner (Law and order) Sathya Priya.
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