Chennai: Tamilnadu police are on a high alert over possible protest marches against China and Sri Lanka over the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka constructed by the Chinese.
Sri Lanka recently passed a controversial legislation governing the China-funded $1.4 billion Colombo Port City, being constructed on reclaimed land by Colombo’s sea front.
While opposition and critics have raised concern that the law cedes much control to China, threatening Lanka’s sovereignty, the Rajapaksa administration has denied it, saying it strengthens prospects of foreign investment in the country. In 2017, Sri Lanka leased a Port in Hambantota district, some 250 km south of Colombo, to China for 99 years.
Meanwhile, Tamilnadu Director-General of Police (DGP) has issued an alert to all the 37 district police chiefs of the State over certain possible protests from Ultra Tamil groups including some Pro-LTTE groups in the State.
It is said that the Sri Lankan consulate in Chennai will be given more protection and the Chinese establishments across Tamilnadu will also be given heavy security.