The US Consulate in the city, which came under attack by pro-Muslim outfits to condemn an US film that denigrated Prophet Mohammad, will remain closed for three days from today. While the US Consulate has officially declared a holiday for two days from today apparently due to security reasons following a series of agitations by Muslim outfits, it would also be closed on Wednesday which is a State holiday for Ganesh Chathurthi festival. An US Consulate spokesperson told UNI that “the US Consulate will remain closed for two days and also on Wednesday which was declared a State holiday”. “We have rescheduled the appointments for all visa applicants scheduled for today and tomorrow”, he said. He said the US Consulate would not be putting out any official statement of the holiday. As the protests against the US film, triggered in Arab countries and Libya had its echo in Chennai, when hundreds of activists of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) attacked the US Consulate here on September 14, damaging the window panes. They also damaged the surveillance camera installed at the entrance and also burnt an US Flag, which they brought triggering tension. The agitation continued over the last two days, resulting in high tension in the area where the Consulate was located. Following this, heightened security arrangements were made in and around the Consulate. Police sources said “a three-tier security arrangement has been put in place following the attacks and the series of agitations”. Apart from armed and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, a large contingent of policemen were also deployed on Anna flyover. Movement of vehicles near the Consulate was also banned. UNI
