: The ‘Fun Mall’ here faced an unexpected desolation on Sunday as its shops remained closed over rumours that the ‘Kiss of Love’ campaign could be organised there.

A few days ago, rumours spread that an unidentified organisation would organise ‘Kiss of Love’ at the mall on Sunday. The Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK) announced that there would be a protest in front of the mall if its management organised or allowed the event. On Sunday, boards declaring holiday for the day were put up at the gates and on the walls.

IMK founder K. Arjun Sampath, who visited the mall on Sunday, told The Hindu that the party workers also visited another mall and public places after rumours spread that the venue was shifted. “We thank the mall for taking this step to stop organising an event that would tarnish our culture,” he said.

Stating that the organisation would stop such events anywhere in the State, he urged the police to initiate action against those who spread rumours about the campaign at the mall.

Though the mall remained closed, there were tense moments as IMK workers were monitoring it throughout the day. Policemen were posted there. A police officer said the policemen would be at the mall till the late hours of Sunday.

Mall sources reiterated that they did not organise the event. They said that it was decided to close the mall for a day because even if a flash mob organised such an event, it could cause unrest.

They said around 20,000 to 25,000 persons visited the mall during the weekdays and the number went up to over 50,000 on Sundays. As 80 per cent of them were youth, the mall did not want to create an unpleasant situation for them.

However, the ‘Kiss of Love’ Coimbatore page on Facebook, started on November 16, has posted an update on November 18 that ‘false’ news was being spread about a ‘Kiss of Love’ function to be held on November 23 (Sunday).

The post added that the date and month of the event would soon be announced.