Despite the deployment of police personnel at Marina beach in Chennai to avoid any form of protest in support of farmers, several youths began an agitation on Wednesday afternoon.
Close to 10 youngsters stepped into the water at Marina beach with banners in hand to register their support for farmers who have entered day 16 of their protest in New Delhi. They were also agitating against the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project.
On Tuesday, #Marina2.0 began gaining traction on social media and there was a call for a second round of protests at Marina beach. Following this, police forces were deployed in Kamarajar Salai to prevent any gathering.
Several posts were put up on Twitter and Facebook asking people to congregate at the beach at 8am on Wednesday.
However, Chennai police had made it clear that they would not grant permission to conduct any protest at Marina and anyone attempting to do so would be arrested.
One protester who was standing in the water told Puthiya Thalaimurai TV channel, "We are not being given permission to protest at Marina. This is the heart of the city and more people will gather once they see that we are protesting."
Police at the site reportedly told protesters that it was not safe for them to stand waist deep in water and advised them to stop their demonstration. Of the 10 protesters, the police convinced five to come out of the sea. Five others, however, refused to come out. Following this, policemen, with the help of local fishermen, forcefully pulled them out of the water.
Protesters who were bodily pulled out said later, "Farmers are dying across the state. The men and women who feed us, their lives are at stake. So, we don't mind putting our lives in danger."
By 2 pm, all the protesters were safely pulled out of the water and taken away by police.
(This story first appeared on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)
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