Following social media reports of yet another gathering of youth on the Marina beach similar to jallikattu protests, around 500 police personnel kept a strict watch along the entire stretch of the beach on Saturday.
Officers were found scanning and checking mobile phones of youngsters and those wearing black shirts, to ensure that they were not involved in any kind of protest movement. Policemen barricaded the service lanes, and allowed people to enter only through the route near the Marina swimming pool and light house.
“A few WhatsApp messages about a possible protest were doing the rounds and that is why we wanted to check. We will also take action against those who spread such rumours,” said S. Saravanan, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mylapore. Senior officers said that a similar check will be held on Sunday also.