Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today said that the opposition parties are trying to disrupt law and order in the State. Responding to a question raised by DMK about Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Palaniswami said anyone born in Tamilnadu will not be affected by CAA.
”DMK should clarify on who in the State is getting affected by the CAA. The implementation of CAA is at the disposal of the Central government,” he said. Discussions on the CAA were carried out in the House for the second day today.
On Monday, Palaniswami said the police had to use force during the anti-CAA protest at Washermenpet in the city on Friday as the agitators damaged public property and pelted stones, slippers and water bottles at the police.
He was replying to a question raised by Leader of Opposition M K Stalin about force used against the protestors. ”Why did not the Chief Minister or any Ministers went and met the protestors and held discussions with them? Police must give appropriate protection to the protestors. All cases filed against them should be withdrawn,” Stalin said.
Palaniswami said the protest was staged without proper prior permission and it created inconvenience to the public. ”An elderly man died of natural reasons during the night of the protest, but this was misinformed creating panic. Police had to use force only after they were subjected to attack. Those who were detained in a bus damaged the vehicle in which they were taken. Various rounds of talks were held with the leaders. Even Sunday night leaders from SDPI met met and gave a petition. Today around 150 members are still protesting. Appropriate protection has been given to them. Many protests have been held across the State and no untoward incidents have taken place. Miscreants are trying to create ruckus and people should not believe rumours. This government will always work for the benefit of the minorities,” he added.
Meanwhile, even as the Budget session of the Assembly is underway, the Tamilnadu Cabinet will be meeting tomorrow at 4.30 pm at the Secretariat to discuss crucial issues.
Sources said that cabinet will give its approval for Palaniswami’s recent announcement of declaring Cauvery Delta as protected special agricultural zone. It is also said that the Cabinet will be discussing about the ongoing anti CAA protest in Washermenpet and the further course of action to be taken in the issue. This is the third time that the Cabinet meeting has been convened this year. Already it had met twice- on 20 January and 4 February.