The US Embassy in Chennai India has temporaryly suspended all visa appointment. They should resume Nov 8, 2016.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s precarious health has left Chennai anxious. The state’s director general of police asked Chennai’s police teams to be ready to patrol the streets on Monday in full uniform. Paramilitary forces are on standby, and extra security has been rushed to both the hospital, outside of which supporters have gathered, and the chief minister’s residence.
Apprehensive of the situ
ation getting worse, people were seen thronging at shops and petrol pumps to stock up food and supplies for the rest of the week. However, fearing any violence, almost all shops, hotels, medical shops and pumps pulled down their shutters.
Buses to Chennai have come to a standstill. However, local buses and autos are ensuring access to the city for the public. Schools and IT companies such as Tidel Park and Olympia Tech Park sent their employees home much earlier than usual.
However, there have been no reports of violence so far in the city and with police deployed in full force throughout Chennai, including sensitive regions, there is a sense of calm among the people.
Situation is similar in neighbouring districts of Vellore, Madurai and others where shopkeepers downed shutters and people scurried home.
