• The state opposition All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) student wing will hold a demonstration near Valluvar Kottam in Chennai at 10:30 (local time) on February 18.  
• The protest aims to condemn the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government’s alleged failure to prevent sexual crimes against school and college students. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has publicly criticized the state government on this issue. 
• Separately, the DMK has announced a protest in front of the District Collector’s Office in Chennai to condemn the Union government’s alleged imposition of Hindi at 16:00 on the same day. 
• The demonstration is expected to be attended by multiple political leaders. 

1. The AIADMK protest is likely to attract participation of high dozens to low hundreds, based on the party’s mobilization capabilities in Chennai. Meanwhile, the DMK protest is expected to witness a turnout ranging in the low-to-mid-hundreds. The presence of multiple leaders will likely bolster participation. The authorities are expected to bolster security measures around the aforementioned locations and across major roads in Chennai by deploying police personnel and setting up barricades to manage the gatherings.  
2. There is a possibility of localized clashes between the protesters and police in the AIDMK protest, particularly if the former resorts to disruptive tactics, such as obstructing major roads or attempting to breach security barriers. Crowd dispersal measures such as baton charges and temporary detentions are likely in such cases. However, stringent law enforcement measures are unlikely for the DMK protest, given the party’s position as the state ruling party. Disruptions to travel are expected near the protest sites during the protest hours on February 18. 

Those operating or residing in Chennai on February 18 are advised to avoid the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and associated risk of unrest while allotting for travel disruptions.