People throng Apollo after news of deterioration in Jaya's health

CHENNAI: Large number of AIADMK supporters thronged Apollo Hospitals here tonight following information that ailing Chief Minister and party supremo Jayalaithaa suffered a cardiac arrest after days of showing improvement.

Heavy police deployment has been made in and around the hospital where 68-year-old Jayalalithaa has been undergoing treatment since September 22.

As news about the setback in Jayalalithaa's health spread, AIADMK workers, including a large number of women, started gathering at the hospital.

Police were seen controlling the stream of people to prevent any untoward incident even as they blocked the main road leading to the hospital.

Barricades have been set up in the vicinity of the hospital and police presence could be seen in arterial roads near the hospital.

Many women, who gathered near the main gate of the hospital, could be seen praying fervently for the well-being of their " Amma" (mother), as she is fondly known among her supporters.

"I only hope to hear a good news about Amma's health. Right now, we are very tensed. I got the news about her heart attack one hour back and just arrived here," an AIADMK cadre told PTI.

Some of the women held photographs of Jayalalithaa and raised slogans "Amma vaazhga, Puratchi thalaivi vaazhga!! (Long live Amma, Long live revolutionary leader)."