Despite the deployment of police personnel at the Marina beach in Chennai, to avoid any form of demonstration in support of farmers, several youths began an agitation on Wednesday afternoon.
Close to 10 youngsters stepped into the waters at the Marina beach with banners in hand to register their support for farmers who have entered day 16 of the protests in New Delhi. They were also agitating against the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project.
On Tuesday, #Marina2.0 began gaining traction on social media and there was a call for a second round of protests in Marina beach. Following this, police forces were deployed in Kamarajar Salai to prevent any form of gatherings. Several posts were put up on Twitter and Facebook asking people to congregate at the Marina at 8am on Wednesday morning. However, Chennai police had made it clear that they would not grant permission to conduct any protest at Marina and anyone attempting to do so would be arrested.
One protester who was standing in the water, told Puthiya Thalaimurai channel, "We are not being given permission to protest in the Marina. This the centre of the city and more people will gather once they see that we are protesting."
Police at the site reportedly told protesters that it was not safe for them to stand waist deep in water and advised them to stop their demonstration. Of the 10 protesters, the police convinced five to come out of the sea. Five others however refused to come out of the water. Following this, policemen with the help of local fishermen, forcefully pulled them out of the water.
Protesters who were bodily pulled out claimed, "Farmers are dying across the state. The men and women who feed us, their lives are at stake. So, we don't mind putting our life in danger."
By 2pm in the afternoon, all the protesters were safely pulled out of the water and taken away by the police.