Agitators leave cricket fans fuming

With his body painted in yellow, H. Saravanan, an ardent Chennai Super Kings fan, was walking towards the stadium when he was allegedly assaulted by some protesters on Wallajah Road. As loyals fans of the game and the home team, Saravanan and others like him were furious that political groups had created so much confusion over the match.

“We realise that Cauvery is an important issue and we also support it. But that does not mean that the protesters can assault fans,” said an infuriated Saravanan. As reports of such attacks started spreading on social media, many fans waited for the protests to subside to walk towards the stadium.

“I came to the Wallajah Road around 5 p.m. itself, but the police advised me to wait as they said protests against the match was going on. So my friends and I strolled around the locality and walked in at around 7 p.m,” said K. Shamna, a college student.

Kashif, from Nungambakkam, who had got tickets for the match with great difficulty, said that he came to the stadium in an autorickshaw. “There was a huge traffic pile-up due to the protest. I returned home and returned only around 7 p.m. By then the crowd had reduced and police were allowing vehicles on Wallajah Road,” he added.

Face harassment

Some others were not able to come back. Though they had tickets they had paid good money for, some went back home after they were stuck in traffic, or intimidated by people for wearing CSK colours.

The supporters for the match came from all over. “I am from a farmer’s family in Villupuram district and I know the importance of water for irrigation. But this is entertainment. I saved money to watch the match. Why shouldn’t I watch it?” said Dinesh, a PG student from a college in Velachery.

Nagaraj, who had come from Madurai, said that protesting against IPL was not going to bring Cauvery to Tamil Nadu. “It will only bring shame,” he added.