Cauvery protest: Black flags, balloons welcome PM Narendra Modi at Chennai airport

Several pro-Tamil outfits along with DMK and other opposition parties on Thursday announced a protest to condemn the Narendra Modi government for its failure to constitute the Cauvery Management Board.

Protesting over the Cauvery issue they showed black flags and balloons to PM Narendra Modi on Thursday. Modi was in the city to inaugurate India's mega defence exhibition, Defexpo, at Thiruvidanthai.

"DMK floats a black balloon in Chennai with the slogan 'Modi Go Back', in protest against PM Modi's visit #CauveryProtest," ANI reported.

The Tamizhar Vazhvuirimai Kootamaippu (TVK), an umbrella outfit of pro-Tamil outfits, and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, led by MLA M Thamimun Ansari were among the organisations that protest against Modi's arrival in the vicinity of the Chennai airport.

Tamil Nadu: DMK floats a black balloon in Chennai with the slogan 'Modi Go Back', in protest against PM Modi's visit #CauveryProtest pic.twitter.com/mSLoJ922aN

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018

Veteran film director Bharathiraja and film-maker Ameer held a demonstration at the airport premises, raising slogans.

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Police arrested 50 DMK party cadre at Madhya Kailash in Chennai while a few cadre of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi climbed atop an advertisement hoarding near Airport and hoisted black flags to show their opposition.

Tamil Nadu: Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) workers climb on the roof of Chennai airport to protest against PM Modi's visit to the state. #CauveryProtest pic.twitter.com/WaELfS2FYT

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018

Black flags were hoisted atop the residences of DMK chief M Karunanidhi, party working president M K Stalin, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and other leaders, in protest against Modi's visit and for not forming the Cauvery Management Board.

In view of the protests, a large number of security personnel were deployed around the airport and in its surrounding areas. Owing to the security reasons, PM Modi is not using the road anywhere in Chennai during his visit.

Chennai: DMK members protests in Chennai against PM Modi's visit to #TamilNadu. #CauveryProtests pic.twitter.com/SRW7sJbX7w

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2018

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From the airport, Modi reached the Defexpo venue at Mamallapuram on a helicopter. Post that, he will go to IIT-Madras, where special arrangements have been made for the landing of his helicopter on a cricket ground.

Later, he will visit the Cancer Institute in the adjacent compound by a car. Authorities brought down a portion of a wall and created a new route in order to facilitate the same. The wall will be rebuilt after his visit.