DMK leader M K Stalin has asked party cadres to remain calm and maintain “military-like discipline” after his father and party president M Karunanidhi died in a Chennai hospital on Tuesday.
“I appeal to party office bearers to ensure that the cadres disperse in a peaceful manner”, Stalin, DMK working president, told DMK workers gathered outside Kauvery Hospital.
“Do not give room for untoward incidents. Maintain peace,” said Stalin, Karunanidhi’s political heir, in a statement. “Hand over anti-socials to police, they may attempt to tarnish DMK.”
Stalin said doctors had treated his father to the best of their ability for nearly two years, news agency PTI reported.
Stalin cried as an ambulance with Karunanidhi’s body left for the DMK chief’s home in Chennai’s Gopalapuram. As many as 6,500 police personnel have been deployed in Chennai and superintendets of police in all districts have been asked to keep forces ready to maintain peace.