Panic stricken shop owners are downing shutters in key commercial areas like Gandhipuram in Coimbatore after it was announced that the Special Court in Bengaluru has found the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa guilty in the Disproportionate asset case.
This correspondent, who was on the Cross Cut road in Gandhipuram, one of the busiest commercial centres in Coimbatore, witnessed around 3 pm a flurry of shop closures in the area, though the quantum of punishment was yet to be known then. A police patrol vehicle went by, asking the people standing on the platforms on either side of the road to keep moving and not to congregate.
A large number of women employees working in these shops were seen scurrying to get into public transport vehicles or personal vehicles to rush back to their homes as the shops downed shutters. As the news about the conviction of the Chief Minister was already known and only the quantum of punishment yet to be announced at that time, the people were aware of the developing situation and did not want to take chances.
The public transport vehicles were seen plying in the Gandhipuram area, which has both the Central bus stand as well as the town bus terminus, in Coimbatore.
AIADMK cadres had gathered near the Anna Statue on Avinashi road, near their party office and blocked traffic.