CSK's maiden home game of IPL 2018 in doubt
After 1095 days, IPL is finally returning to Chepauk but it is far from the fairytale return for Chennai Super Kings supporters as fans of the team have been beaten up by protesters. Following that there were reports that the M A Chidambaram Stadium was emptied causing widespread angst ahead of the game between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
This has even fueled some reports that the game might not take place with plenty of arrests of protesters in areas surrounding the ground. Since then the supporters are slowly being allowed in and it looks like the game is going to take place despite the protests happening around the city.
Earlier in the day, the Chennai city police arrested around 150 members from VCK after they gathered near Bells Road, Triplicane. There have been videos being circulated across social media of protesters beating up fans of CSK who are making their way to the ground.
The Cauvery row in Tamil Nadu began after the verdict was announced and for the last week, there have been protests throughout Tamil Nadu. Opposition has been raised to Chennai hosting an IPL match when there is such widespread and there have been some, including actor-turned-politician Rajnikanth asking the governing body to not host the match in Chennai.
The protesters include politicians, group of Tamil actors and farmers. They have called for a boycott of the game citing the Centre's inaction in setting up the Cauvery Management Board. More than 350 people were arrested and security has been heightened near the M A Chidamanbaram stadium with over 4,000 police personnel including commandos and members of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) being deployed.
While IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla met with Union Home Secretary Rajeev Gauba and assured that the security arrangements have been made, it looks as though it hasn't gone according to plan.