Following reports of the death of the top LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, security was beefed up in the state. Around 50 people were arrested across the state.

In Salem, seven people were arrested as they had planned a rail roko, but were released later. In Tirunelveli, twenty-two persons were arrested and likewise in Chennai some arrests were made.

In Chennai, to avoid any untoward incidents, three companies of Central Industrial Security Forces, a company of Rapid Action Force and 8000 personnel of local police were deployed in various places. The Sri Lankan High Commission at Alwarpet, Sri Lankan Airlines office in Nungambakkan and Maha Bodhi Temple at Egmore were given high security in anticipation of attacks by Tamil chauvinists. Even the Chennai Law College has come under the security blanket.

Gudalur and Pandalur taluks in Nilgiris experienced some tense moments when around 100 youths forced traders to down their shutters last evening. However, no case of violence was reported. Effigies of Rajapaksa were burnt in Pandalur.