Chennai, May 5 : Amid protests by various Muslim outfits, the
controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’, which had allegedly depicted
women from Kerala joining terror outfit ISIS, hit the screens in Tamil
Nadu under tight security, with the deployment of police personnel
in front of theatres.
All those entering the theatres where the film was screened, were
allowed entry after intensive checks and after ensuring that they
did not carry any objectional material or papers with them.
A large number of police personnel were deployed in the theatres
where the film was being screened after the Supreme Court and the
Madras High Court dismissed the pleas seeking a ban on the film.
Meanwhile, protests were held in Coimbatore, Chennai and som
other parts of Tamil Nadu against the screening of the film, prompting
the police to detain them.
A report from Coimbatore said, more than 50 members of the Tamil
Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam attempted to lay siege to a shopping
mall where the film was screened.
Apart from demanding ban on the film, they also shouted slogans against
its screening.
Tension prevailed for a while due to jostling between the police and the
protestors.
However, police acted swiftly and arrested them and took them in a
waiting van
There were protests in Chennai too with members of SDPI and other
oufits staging agitations in at least five places in the city
More than 200 SDPI activists staged a protest in front of the Express
Avenue Mall at Royapettah area in the city and shouted slogans. A
large number of police personnel were posted in view of the protests.
Ahead of the release, State DGP C.Sylendra Babu has directed all
the City Police Commissioners and District Superintendents of Police
in the State to provide security outside theatres screening the movie
following intelligence reports about protests and agitations outside
the halls screening the movie.
Ever since the contentious claims made in the movie promos, Muslim
outfits have sought a ban on the movie’s release.
To prevent any untoward incident, Mr Babu issued a eight point charter
to the officers to ensure proper security. The officials have been directed
to deploy adequate manpower in all theatres screening the movie.
Police have also been asked to conduct anti-sabotage checks in theatres
and viewers maybe frisked with the assistance of theatre security staff.
“Police pickets with proper security gears and equipments shall be posted
in sensitive places, where law and order issues are anticipated. Swift action
should be taken against protestors if they indulge in violence,” he said and
asked the Commissioners and SP’s to monitor social media for inflammatory
contents and remove any posters objecting the film
“Strict vigil shall be maintained and developments if any shall be reported
at once to the control room. Take other precautionary measures deemed
fit to avert any incident affecting public order, ” the DGP said.(UNI)