Hundreds of ‘private security’ men were seen manning the 1-km-long road (off the East Coast Road) leading up to Golden Bay Resorts in Koovathur on Sunday where AIADMK MLAs are lodged.
Several attempts made by reporters to breach the security cordon and speak to them were unsuccessful as police said that security for the MLAs was being provided by private players.
Police official E. Vedarathinam, who was present at the venue, said that the reporters could not be allowed access to the resort as it was a ‘private property’. “The MLAs have asked us to stop the media from coming. They don't want to talk.”
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The media and locals were allegedly intimidated and some were even reportedly attacked by security guards..
Even though reporters and locals sat on the road in protest, demanding that the police detain the men who attacked the reporters, the police let the men walk away into the open plots nearby. After much haggling, the reporters were told that Ms. Sasikala would address the press. Once inside the resort, the media were prevented from taking pictures and any attempt to speak to MLAs was thwarted. The resort seems to be hosting hundreds of partymen along with MLAs.
After her brief address, the reporters had to walk through hundreds of men, who were holding hands on either side to prevent them from speaking to the MLAs.
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