According to latest news, the Chennai police has lathicharged to break-up the huge crowd of protesters belongsing to more than 20 Muslim organizations who had gathered in front of an US Consulate to protest against an American movie which allegedly denigrated Islam.
It is further said that the mob set some vehicles on fire.
Police officials told media that more than 2000 protesters clashed with police on the arterial Anna Salai road.
In the meantime the US Consulate will be closed on Wednesday as well, earlier it had closed the visa section on Monday and Tuesday, due to local holiday, ‘Vinayaka Chathurthi’.
An US Consulate posted on its official website, “The US Consulate in Chennai will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, September 17 and 18, 2012, due to the ongoing demonstrations in the city. The Consulate will also be closed on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, for a local holiday.”
It added, “The US Consulate also “encourages” its citizens travelling in and around Chennai to exercise caution and monitor local media for security updates.”
Last week, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam activist protested in front of US Consulate and pelted stone on US Consulate building.
Later, another Muslim organization protested and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi activists held a protest rally in the city against the American film ‘Innocence of Muslims.’
However, the video of ‘Innocence of Muslims’ had been banned on YouTube in India, as per Govts order.
