Chennai: The news of DMK president M Karunandhi’s demise has finally sunk in the minds of people. Alwarpet, the scene of all action for the last 11 days, now wears a deserted look. The former Chief Minster of Tamilnadu was admitted to Kauvery Hospital following health issues on 28 July.
Poojas in temple
This morning, Alwarpet was limping back to normalcy. Radios played Suprabhatham while temples in the vicinity began their morning poojas. Broken barricades, empty food packets, strong urine stench all around the streets surrounding the hospital were reminders of what was once the seat of action for media people, police and party cadres.
Cops on work
Once the mortal remains of DMK leader were taken away from the hospital, the place lost its importance. The streets were nearly deserted with just a handful of policemen on duty and a few morning walkers. The policemen were setting right all the disruption of last evening. The barricades were reinstalled and traffic lights repaired. Broken barricades and cement blocks were shifted to one side of the road. Paperboys were making their morning runs and were also checking out the headlines in various papers.
Cleaning act
Conservancy workers were back in action. Men and women in uniforms started to sweep the roads filled with empty bottles, plastic cups and disposable plates. Helping them were local watchmen.
Rag-pickers made a kill collecting what was valuable to them. They carried away large bundles of plastic from the scene. There was police protection at certain places including actor-politician Kamal Haasan’s house in Alwarpet and in front of Narada Gana Sabha on TTK. Policemen walked along the streets just to make sure things were settling back.
Floral tribute
One or two party loyalist still loitered in front of the hospital. One even took a selfie with the hospital in the backdrop. The place itself seems to have moved on. They have advertised asking students to join their paramedical courses offered at its premise. Residents in Teynampet, which has many DMK supporters, have started paying homage to their leader by installing his portraits. People lined up to pay their respects with tears. For them a beloved leader is gone forever.