CHENNAI: The inter-State border at Athibelle was fortified with heavy police presence and barricades in anticipation of trouble over the arrival of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader Sasikala, who is set to return to Tamil Nadu on Monday after her four-year incarceration on corruption charges. In a late night directive, Krishnagiri police issued a warning against the use of the AIADMK party flags by Ms. Sasikala or her loyalists.

The police also forbid convoy of more than five tailing Ms. Sasikala’s vehicle. Vehicles violating the order would be intercepted and booked for violations, the release said. Further, local celebratory stoppages would be regulated by not less than 10 uniformed AMMK party cadres to avoid overcrowding. District Police Superintendent Bandi Gangadhar also warned against use of flex boards and banners without permission.

In Paaireddypatty, Dharmapuri, AMMK loyalists vehicles were stopped by the police.

The police deployments, however, did not seem to deter the celebratory mood in the AMMK camp as Sasikala loyalists thronged the stretch along the inter-State border with balloons in the hues of AMMK flag.

Sasikala, 66, is returning to Tamil Nadu for the first time since her release on January 27 after a four-year jail term for corruption. Till now, she was in Bengaluru, where she was treated for Covid.

While she was in jail, she was removed as AIADMK chief and expelled by E Palaniswami -- the man she had handpicked as Chief Minister -- as part of a compromise he reached with rebel-turned-deputy O Panneerselvam.

This morning, as Sasikala left for Tamil Nadu from the Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru, where she had been staying since her discharge from hospital, her car displayed the AIADMK flag. She was seen in a car in a green sari, greeting supporters with folded hands.

The Tamil Nadu government had complained to the police when she was spotted using the party flag after her release. She was then warned by the police against using it, since she was no more a member of the party.

Sasikala's supporters, including some AIADMK members that have been at odds with the Chief Minister and his deputy, are planning a big reception for her return to Tamil Nadu, especially in Hosur that borders Karnataka.