No law, order problem in TN, says Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday ruled out the possibility of law and order problems in Tamil Nadu in the wake of the latest update on the health condition of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

"There is no issue of law and order. Law and order is not a concern yet," he told reporters here.

Singh had on Sunday night spoken to Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and enquired about the health of Jayalalithaa, who, according to Apollo Hospitals, "continues to be very critical," a day after suffering cardiac arrest.

She is on various life support systems, the hospital said.

Meanwhile, a senior Home Ministry official said the central government was closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu all efforts are being made to maintain law and order so that no untoward incident takes place.

The Home Ministry officials are in constant touch with the officials of Tamil Nadu government and assessing the situation.

Law and order situation in Tamil Nadu was normal so far and adequate central forces were available in the state to assist the state administration, the officials said.

As many as 900 personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) of CRPF have been put on stand-by to be immediately airlifted from various places in the country to Tamil Nadu, if needed, they said.

A near total shutdown-like situation prevailed in Chennai on Monday with shops and other establishments downing shutters and office goers returning home early as CM Jayalalithaa's health condition continued to remain critical.

Some people were seen protesting against some tv channels, which aired "wrong news" on Jayalalilthaa's health condition earlier in the evening.

Meanwhile, a near total shutdown like situation prevailed in the city with shops and other establishments downing shutters and office goers returning home early.

The entire area in and around Apollo Hospitals, where she is being treated since September 22, resembled a fortress with traffic completely halted on the road leading to the hospital and a heavy police posse deployed.

At the hospital hundreds of AIADMK party workers continued to stay put and raised slogans saying their beloved ‘Amma’ should recover.

Some were seen protesting against some TV channels, which aired wrong news of Jayalalilthaa’s health condition earlier in the evening.

Elsewhere in the city, a bandh like situation prevailed with relatively less traffic on the roads.

Educational institutions sent students home early in the afternoon, while several offices asked their staff to leave early.

By dusk, roads started wearing a deserted look, even as groups of anxious people huddled in discussions over the condition of 68-year-old AIADMK supremo.

Shops, including petty outlets, eateries and departmental stores, closed shutters, even as people stocked essentials.