Anti-US protests force US Consulate in Chennai to shut down for 2 days

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Sept 17, IRNA -- Faced with protests over the anti-Islam film for the third day, the US consulate in Chennai, capital city of India’s Tamil Nadu state, has shut down its visa section for two days from today.

"The visa section will be closed for appointments on Monday and Tuesday. Persons with appointments are being notified for rescheduling dates. Emergency services will be offered to American citizens," pti reported quoting an advisory posted on the Consulate's official website.

The decision to close the visa section came as the anti-US protests in front of the consulate continued for the third day today and another Muslim outfit planned to hold demonstration tomorrow.

A spokesperson of the Consulate said the decision to close down the visa section for two days was taken yesterday and all applicants already given appointment had been informed about the rescheduling.

"In no way will they be inconvenienced," he said adding around 1,000 visa applicants visited the Consulate every day.

Earlier, the Consulate had issued a travel advisory, asking US nationals to exercise caution while moving around the city, in the face of the protests.

On Friday last, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam activists picketed the consulate and pelted stones damaging some window panes, prompting city police to further beef up security at the heavily-guarded installation located on the arterial Anna Salai.

Another Muslim outfit staged a protest on Saturday while Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi activists held a demonstration in the city today protesting against the American film.

On Sunday Hundreds of Muslims held protests at different places in Tamil Nadu state against an anti-Islam US film that has triggered anti-US protests worldwide.

Protests were held in Madurai, Rameswaram and Kumbakonam where the participants condemned the film that has triggered violence in many countries and led to the killing of the US ambassador in Libya.

A 14-minute trailer for the video titled “Innocence of Muslims,” was uploaded on the internet depicting Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in a derogatory manner

According to media reports, the video is a brain child of a 52-year old Israeli-American, Sam Bacile who had received a donation of $ 5 million from 100 Jewish donors to make a movie called “Islam is Cancer.”

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 1027793