Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK's undisputed leader Jayaram Jayalalitha passed away in Chennai's Apollo Hospital late on Monday night. She was 68.

Jayalalithaa was declared dead at 11:30 PM. Apollo Hospital in its statement said, "with indescribable grief, we announce the sad demise of our esteemed honourable chief minister of Tamil Nadu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma at 11:30 PM today, 5-12-2016."

Jayalalithaa died of the cardiac arrest she had suffered late on Sunday evening.

Chennai: AIADMK workers mourn the passing away of #jayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/7NgFvVvTby ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2016

While Chennai remained more or less calm, a scuffle was reported at Poes Garden when Amma's mortal remains were shifted there from Apollo Hospital.

People spilling through the road, trying to get as close as possible to Amma, making it difficult for the ambulance to pass. Several supporters were seen running behind Amma's convoy.

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DEVELOPMENTS

1. A three-day holiday has been declared in Tamil Nadu; all schools and colleges will remain closed for this period.

2. A seven-day state mourning has also been declared during which national flags at all government offices will remain at half-mast. No official entertainment will be held during this period.

3. Jayalalithaa's body will lie in state at Rajaji Hall for people to pay respects.

4. Jaya will be laid to rest at Marina Beach on Tuesday alongside her mentor MGR and Annadurai.

5. A day-long mourning period has also been declared in Bihar and Puducherry.

Apollo Hospital press release declaring Jayalalithaa's death. Apollo Hospital press release declaring Jayalalithaa's death.

PANNEERSELVAM TAKES OATH

After the official announcement of Amma's death, an emotional O Panneerselvam took oath as the new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister at Raj Bhavan at around 2 am. He was carrying a photo of Jayalalithaa in his pocket.

After Panneerselvam, 31 other cabinet ministers took oath together, and portfolios were allocated to them subsequently.

THE HOURS LEADING UP TO HER DEATH

The day proved to be an emotional roller-coaster for her millions of followers, after her death was announced prematurely by Jaya TV-- her party's television wing. The news spread like wildfire as soon as AIADMK workers lowered the flag at the party headquarters to a half-mast (for mourning).

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Tempers ran high as her supporters began clashing with police on the road leading to the hospital. This was swiftly rejected as a rumour by the Apollo Hospital, however, claiming she was 'very critical' but under observation.

Following news of her cardiac arrest, thousands of AIADMK supporters had thronged the hospital and kept a vigil. Roads around the hospital were also declared no-go zones.

The numbers of worried Jaya supporters multiplied by the evening and Chennai Police had to enforce a virtual lockdown in parts of the city. By late night, AIADMK leaders were preparing for the inevitable.

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Jayalalitha or Amma as she was fondly called was admitted to the Apollo Hospital on September 22 for fever and dehydration. Her lungs were severely compromised because of pneumonia and she was eventually put on respiratory support.

An expert team of doctors from Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences and later renowned doctor from London, Robert Beale, were brought in treat her.

On Sunday, a release said she had recovered fully and would be home in a few days, but within five hours of that statement, news came that Jayalalithaa had suffered a cardiac arrest and was back in the ICU.

FULL COVERAGE: #AMMAFOREVER