INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Super Kings (CSK) gears up to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this evening amid protests over delay in Cauvery board, about 4,000 police
personnel have been deployed at the MA Chidambaram or Chepauk Stadium in Chennai to ensure the Indian Premier League (IPL) match is played
without any disruption.Hundreds of protesters gathered at Anna Salai, one of the most prominent spots in the city, and called for a boycott
of the IPL matches in Chennai
The arterial road is barely a km from the stadium.Traffic near Anna Salai was chaotic due to protests; many of those protesting were taken
into custody by the police.Political parties and fringe groups have been demanding cancellation or postponement of all seven IPL matches in
Chennai till the centre constitutes the Cauvery Management Board
They are asking spectators to boycott the match.Empty galleries, they hope, would send a strong message to the centre which they say is
defying the Supreme Court Order by not forming the neutral body which would independently assess and share Cauvery waters between Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu according to the water sharing deal.On Monday, a group led by Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi chief, Velmurugan released black
balloons near the stadium
Today, they again tried to stage a demonstration outside the stadium, but the police and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association were prepared
and wave black flags inside the stadium during the match
Therefore, spectators won't be allowed to bring banners, mobile phones, cameras or any other gadget to the venue
They've also been warned against use of abusive language.All approach roads to the stadium will have thick police cover to keep protesters
A senior officer told TheIndianSubcontinent, "All measures would be taken to ensure peace and order."Calling IPL matches in Chennai amid
at bay.Fans, however, are divided.Santosh, a college student, sympathises with farmers, but is against the cancellation of the match
He says, "I'm fine with wearing black bands, but cancelling IPL matches isn't the solution."Rohit, another fan, said, "Politics and sports
ought to be kept separate
CSK is playing after two years and we want to watch it.Karnataka is against the Cauvery board as it doesn't want to lose control of its dams
The ruling BJP, political parties in Tamil Nadu claim, doesn't want to form the body as it could upset poll-bound Karnataka.
