TN in shock over Jaya’s passing

Chennai was on the edge after false reports of her death on Monday evening but the city fell silent when her death was announced past midnight

Since Sunday evening, when news of J Jayalalitha’s cardiac arrest broke, the Greams Lane leading to Apollo Hospital had seen a massive surge of boisterous Amma supporters.

Prayers, tears, fury, and a defiant confidence in Jayalalithaa’s guaranteed recovery gave way to sadness and frustration as local TV channels falsely reported her demise on Monday evening.

The police had a tough time controlling the AIADMK cadres who charged at the barricades. Things were brought under control only after the hospital issued a denial stating that the news of her death was false and that she was still under treatment.

The news of Jayalalithaa’s death was made official past midnight, when her supporters had cleared the hospital grounds and there was only a heavy police and media presence. Amma, as she was fondly called by her supporters, passed away at 11.30 pm but the official announcement came after midnight.

Chennai was on the edge, with many shopkeepers downing their shutters as a precaution after sporadic incidents of violence earlier on Monday evening following the false news broadcasts.

The authorities appear to have waited until the crowd’s had fully dispersed and returned home before making the announcement. The question now is how the security forces will maintain law and order in a state which has seen riots following the death of popular politicians in the past.

At least 5,000 police personnel, including companies from both the Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police, were called in as reinforcements by the Chennai Police as part of their security plan. A unit of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was also present at Apollo Hospital, where the 68-year-old leader had been convalescing since September 22, to assist the forces already deployed there.

Party workers charged barricades and began crying hysterically when the rumours of her demise surfaced, after several local channels, including, ironically, Jaya TV, announced that she had died early on Monday evening. The scuffle continued for some time until Chennai police were able to control the crowd.

Apollo hospital swiftly denied the rumours, saying that the 86-year-old was still alive, and was undergoing medical treatment.

On Monday, most shops were shut. With uncertainty looming, shop owners were reluctant to reopen their shops even after channels reported that the CM was alive. Normally crowded areas like T Nagar and other places wore a deserted look and roads were bereft of vehicles.

Public transport was halted in several places while several buses were stoned by miscreants.

In an attempt to stock up, people queued up at petrol stations and provision shops in some areas.

Educational institutions sent students home early. Several offices, too, asked the staff to leave ahead of the closing hour.

At least 5,000 police personnel were called in as reinforcements by the city police to deal with any eventuality. A unit of the Rapid Action Force was also deployed outside the hospital.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, while condoling Jayalalithaa’s death, said, “I am deeply grieved to learn the passing of Selvi J Jayalalithaa. Selvi Jayalalithaa lived her entire life with the same indomitable courage with which she battled her illness. As the leader of AIADMK and four-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu...”