Security tightened in Tamil Nadu as Muslim outfit protests against release of ‘The Kerala Story’

Deputy commissioner of police G Sandheesh said close to 1,000 police personnel were deployed around the sensitive areas and near malls in Coimbatore.

The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam raised slogans against the release of the controversial movie The Kerala Story in Coimbatore on Friday. The protesters attempted to jump over the barricades placed in front of a mall where the movie was screened.

Only a select group of malls screened the movie and they were provided with an extra layer of security. In Coimbatore, a communally sensitive district, the movie was screened at a few places such as Fun Republic Mall, Brookfield Mall and Prozone Mall.

Deputy commissioner of police G Sandheesh said that close to 1,000 police personnel were deployed around the sensitive areas and near malls. “In Coimbatore city, the movie is being released in three malls. We received inputs from the intelligence and the government provided us instructions to ensure there are no issues around the release of the movie. Nearly 1,000 police personnel are deployed around the city at important points like airport, bus stand, railway station, junctions and also at three major malls. We are confident that we will handle this well,” he said.

People are allowed inside the malls after stringent checking using hand-held metal detectors and body metal detectors. There is a dog squad and police have been deployed inside the malls as well.

“Usually, there will be security personnel inside the mall, now we have given extra protection. We are checking their bags… We spoke to organisations ahead of the release, yet we are anticipating a few members to protest against the release and we will initiate action accordingly,” Sandheesh said.

In Chennai, the film was screened in theatres inside popular malls such as Express Avenue, Chennai City Centre, Forum Vijaya Mall, Phoenix Market City and AGS Cinemas.