Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040418480300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Civic body cracks down on political graffiti

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Corporation on Monday began erasing of political messages on the walls of private buildings. The civic agency, on the instructions of the EC, said last week that political messages would not be allowed on private walls even with the property owner's consent. It said graffiti was not allowed under Section 4 (1) a of the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of disfigurement) Act, 1959, and asked all parties to clean up graffiti before Sunday.

Corporation workers erased graffiti on the walls of private buildings in some parts of Anna Nagar and said the expenses would be added to political candidates election expenses. Some property owners argued the messages were written with their consent.