Muslims protest docking of USS Nimitz off Chennai port

The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), a voluntary organization of Tamil Nadu Muslims is protesting against the anchoring of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz outside Chennai port.

Chennai, July 4 : The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), a voluntary organization of Tamil Nadu Muslims is protesting against the anchoring of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz outside Chennai port.

Protestors shouted slogans like "Iraqi blood on American hands", and mocked the visit of the ship's sailors to tsunami relief camps."The ship has been allowed in Tamil Nadu's waters. They say they have come here to do social service. Through this, they cannot wash the blood of the Iraqi people off their hands," said Jawahirullah, the president of the organization.

Apart from Muslims, the Communists have also objected the visit of the aircraft carrier, charging New Delhi with pandering to US intersts.

The USS Nimitz anchored off Chennai port on Monday.

Both governments have termed it a landmark step in India-U.S. ties.Some Indian commentators said the arrival of ship should be seen as an attempt to heal historic scars.

They said it brought back memories of 1971 when Washington had sent the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, to the Bay of Bengal in an attempt to intimidate India ahead of its war against Pakistan, which eventually led to the creation of Bangladesh.

ANI