When five DMK men were killed in a police firing at the Marina 25 years ago
On August 12, 2001, a rally organized by the DMK in Chennai turned deadly when police opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of five party members
On July 29, 2001, a month following ex-Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi's midnight arrest, the DMK general council decided to hold a rally on August 12 to protest police brutality during the operation. The rally began at Little Mount in Saidapet and planned to proceed via Cathedral Road, Kamaraj Salai, and culminate at the Marina beach, where Karunanidhi was set to speak.
Tensions arose early in the day as the rally participants began shouting criticisms of then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and the Chennai Police Commissioner. The atmosphere escalated near the DGP's office, and police used a lathicharge against the gathering. Journalists were physically assaulted, and several vehicles were set on fire. Five DMK cadres were killed in the ensuing violence, bringing the total death count to six.
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