An uneasy calm prevailed in major cities and towns in Coimbatore and and its neighbouring districts since afternoon today, following bulletins on health condition of Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa from the Apollo Hospitals, where she is undergoing treatment.

People ensured that everything was normal before venturing out of their homes following reports on her heath condition since last night.

Buses, taxis and auto rickshaws plied as usual, and educational institutions remained open and almost all shops and traders opened their business establishments.

However, in the later part of the day, say around 3 p.m. private buses, taxies and auto rickshaws started withdrawing and the managements allowed the parents to take their wards from the schools. A few shops, that closed for lunch, remained closed, following live reports on various channels and updates in social media, police said.

The City Police Commissioner has warned of stern action against those who indulged in spreading rumours on Chief Minister’s health condition.

Government buses to Karnataka from Coimbatore and Nilgiris did not ply. Buses from Karnataka too were stopped at the borders on Nilgiris district for fear of violence, police said.

Meanwhile, a 62-year-old woman in Thudiyalur on the outskirts died, reportedly after hearing the reports of health condition of the Chief Minister. However, police did not confirm whether the death was related to AIADMK supremo’s health condition.