As Jayalalithaa remains critical, Chennai shops shut, people stock up on supplies

As Jayalalithaa remains critical, Chennai shops shut, people stock up on supplies 

Even as doctors and specialists continue to monitor Jayalalithaa’s health, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s condition remains very critical. With a general feeling of tension spreading among Chennai’s residents, many Chennaites seem to be taking measures for any eventualities. 

According to responses TNM received from people, residents of T Nagar, Anna Nagar, Chetpet seem to be stocking up om supplies like groceries and milk. Supplies have already run out in some places, like Vepery, Tharamani and Chromepet. 

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute Aditya birla More supermarket tnagar.ppl are stocking up as if they r going on an Antartica trip.

— Karthik Murali (@Karthik_Murali) December 5, 2016

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute Milk Shop in the Thirupalli Sreet in Sowcarpet. Mostly North Indians live here n r in fear n praying equally pic.twitter.com/44V2eJmpBR

— Vikas Jain (@vikinetani) December 5, 2016

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute No milk, bread and veggies available anywhere. Panic buying happening.

— Vaani Anand (@VaaniAnand) December 5, 2016

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute There is panic buying everywhere in around Chetput and Anna Nagar... most shops r either overflowing or shut

— Mohan V (@mohan_says) December 5, 2016

Shopkeepers are also downing shutters as a precautionary measure in Mint Street and Thiruvanmayur. 

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute stores are closing as ppl start to queue outside pic.twitter.com/WuquLub5pK

— jampu_chikku_chaan (@sriramr92) December 5, 2016

Here are some pictures of Cathedral road:

Hema, 33, administrator of RM Jewellers, told TNM, "We do not have fear, the police is here to protect us. We will use whatever transport is available and go home. The store will be shut for two to three days. Already we are going through a cash problem. Last week we had no sales, so it doesn't make much difference if we are shut for a few more days."

In other places like Guindy and Thiruvanmayur, people with vehicles are thronging to petrol bunks and bus stops.   

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute madipakkam sadasivam nagar petrol bunk is crowded some shops are already shut

— sarcasram (@ramsankar83) December 5, 2016

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute didn't take pic but every petrol bunk on arcot road from power house to the flyover was crowded

— Aparna (@aparnapr) December 5, 2016

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute omr bus too rush pic.twitter.com/ZWPoQYi89j

— Anti Gravity (@aravindan_krish) December 5, 2016

@dhanyarajendran @thenewsminute GN Chetty road petrol bunk opp to residency. artificial panic . several cars lined up like crazy

— Karthik Murali (@Karthik_Murali) December 5, 2016

In some parts of Tamil Nadu outside Chennai as well, people seem to be taking precautionary measures as well. In Coimbatore, shops around Kovai Cross Cut Road and 100 Feet Road have also downed their shutters. 

The precautionary measures evoke the memory of other events such as when Jayalalithaa was convicted in the disproportionate assets case. Earlier in 1987, Chennai had come to a standstill for three days when MGR passed away, with shops shut and transport services in a limbo. People appear to be gearing for disturbances again.