Security has been beefed up outside actor turned politician Rajinikanth’s house in Poes Garden after fringe groups threatened to lay siege at his residence. Various fringe groups had threatened to lay siege at Rajini’s residence after his statement defending police firing in Tuticorin during anti-Sterlite protests.

Rajinikanth, who visited the injured protesters at Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital on Wednesday said that anti-social elements were responsible for violence on May 22 in which 13 people had died in police firing.

Rajinikanth drew flak for his statement from political leaders as well as people on social media. DMK and several other political parties in Tamil Nadu hit out at the superstar. "There is a doubt if this is his voice as BJP has also been making such remarks. Whatever it is, he is a Superstar and himself has said anti-social elements had infiltrated the protesters. It would be good for the country if he could identify such persons," DMK leader MK Stalin said.

However, the ruling AIADMK welcomed his remarks, made in the backdrop of the anti-Sterlite protests, blaming anti-social elements for the recent violence in Tuticorin that resulted in 13 deaths in police firing.

On the other hand, several fringe groups threatened to lay siege at his residence, following which 70 police personnel were deployed outside Rajinikanth’s home in Tamil Nadu.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2018 03:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).