Police personnel outside the Raj Bhawan in Tamil Nadu
The crude bomb attack on the Raj Bhawan has unnerved the authorities. Notably, Raj Bhavan itself has expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of the case. In a statement posted on social media, Raj Bhavan claimed that the police had not registered their complaint regarding the attack. Instead, the police, on their own initiative, treated the incident as a simple act of vandalism. To further complicate matters, the police hastily arrested the accused, leading to his remand in jail at midnight. This abrupt move also involved waking up a magistrate late in the night and preventing a more detailed interrogation that might have shed light on those responsible for the attack.
Raj Bhavan’s statement conveyed a deep concern that a fair investigation had been thwarted before it could even begin. The implications of this incident and the subsequent handling by the authorities have prompted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to step in, aiming to uncover the startling aspects of the case that have come to light.
In a concerning incident at Guindy Raj Bhavan, a habitual offender and history sheeter who was released on bail just three days prior breached the high-security zone and threw country bombs on the premises. The incident took place on the afternoon of October 25.
The police initially reported that the bombs landed near the barricade at the front gate, causing no damage, and that the assailant was swiftly arrested. However, a complaint filed by Deputy Secretary to the Governor, Sengottaiyan, provided a contrasting version of events. In his complaint to the Commission of Greater Chennai, Sengottaiyan described a severe attack against the Constitutional Head of the State of Tamil Nadu.
According to the complaint, a miscreant armed with petrol bombs attempted to breach Main Gate No. 1 of Raj Bhavan around 2:45 pm on the same day. It was due to the alertness of the security personnel at the Raj Bhavan that they managed to thwart the assailants’ entry. The first petrol bomb hurled at the main entrance gate caused a significant damage. Despite the security personnel’s efforts to subdue the attacker, another petrol bomb was thrown, resulting in severe damage to the entrance.
Sengottaiyan further noted that, over several months, there have been ongoing attacks against the honourable governor, often involving verbal abuse and threats to his life. These attacks have predominantly come from leaders and members of the DMK and its allies during public meetings and through social media. Their intent appears to be to intimidate the Governor and hinder him from carrying out his constitutional duties.
However, Sengottaiyan pointed out that previous complaints lodged with the police had yielded no significant action or results. He cited a specific incident from April 18, 2022, where the Governor was physically attacked with sticks and stones while en route to a scheduled function at the Dharmapuram Adheenam. Despite complaints filed by Raj Bhavan, no FIR was registered, and no action was taken against the culprits. This sequence of events underscores concerns about the governor’s safety and the need for a thorough investigation into the recent attack on Guindy Raj Bhavan.
Amidst various incidents of threats and abuse directed at the Governor, an officer from Raj Bhavan has voiced serious concerns about the police’s response to these incidents. The officer revealed that previous cases involving public threats to the governor were not treated with the necessary seriousness by the police. In these instances, the police did not faithfully register First Information Reports (FIRs) and often downplayed the significance of the events, categorising them as minor offences with no meaningful follow-up.
The officer emphasised that the police’s studied indifference to the Governor’s safety had compromised both his security and that of Raj Bhavan. This situation has ultimately culminated in a brazen bomb attack on Raj Bhavan.
Expressing his alarm, the officer pointed out that ongoing verbal and physical threats and attacks against the Governor, the highest Constitutional authority in the state, had severely undermined security measures. This deterioration in security is now evident in the recent bomb attack. The officer urged authorities to take serious note of the attack, highlighting that the offences committed fall under Section 124 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which is specifically intended for threats to the Governor.
The officer further emphasised that a governor cannot effectively discharge their duties under the constant shadow of threats. As a result, he urged the authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure a thorough investigation, appropriate punishment for those involved in the attacks, including any conspirators, and enhanced security measures for the Governor’s safety.
In the wake of the bomb attack on Guindy Raj Bhavan, Chennai Police identified the suspect as K Vinod, a known history-sheeter and habitual offender with a record of six to seven cases against him. According to the police, Vinod was in an inebriated state when he committed the crime.
The police’s statement regarding Vinod’s inebriation at the time of the attack follows a common pattern, as it is often used when individuals are accused of attacking temples or engaging in vandalism.
A case has been registered against Vinod under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 506(ii) (criminal intimidation). Additionally, charges have been filed under Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act at the Guindy police station.
The police also mentioned that Raj Bhavan’s complaint regarding the incident was received around 11 pm. They have assured that the details provided in the complaint will be thoroughly examined as part of the ongoing investigation into the bomb attack.
In the aftermath of the bomb attack on Guindy Raj Bhavan, several political figures and government officials expressed their viewpoints on the incident.
TN BJP State President K Annamalai took to Twitter to claim that the same individual responsible for the attack on the BJP headquarters in Chennai in February 2022 was behind the attack on Raj Bhavan. He expressed concerns about the recurrent attacks and insinuated that the DMK government might be involved in sponsoring these acts.
Union Minister L Murugan expressed his dismay over the incident, emphasising that it signifies a breakdown in law and order. He raised concerns about the safety and ability of the constitutional head of the state, the Governor, to perform his duties without threats. Murugan called for the case to be transferred to either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
AIADMK Chief Edappadi Palaniswami characterised the attack as a significant example of the deterioration of law and order in the state.
Contrary to the criticisms, DMK’s Law Minister, S. Regupathy condemned the attack and denied any security lapse at Raj Bhavan. He affirmed that the Raj Bhavan is well protected and that an investigation is in progress.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the NIA has taken it upon itself to initiate an investigation into the incident. The case continues to unfold as authorities at various levels weigh in on the matter.
Amid growing questions about who facilitated bail for habitual criminal Krukku Vinodh, recent information from a 24×7 News Tamil channel appears to provide indirect answers. Prison authorities are reported to have described Vinodh’s emergence from jail in the company of banned Popular Front of India (PFI) cadres as a mere coincidence.
Incidentally, this development has unfolded in the context of ongoing protests and demonstrations concerning Palestine. Just two days ago, several Muslim outfits organised a protest in support of Palestine, during which one of the speakers controversially likened Israel and India to “two terrorist nations in the world.” Following this, the Federation of All Islamic Organisations and some political parties have called for a protest in Chennai on October 31.
However, an alarming incident recently took place in Coimbatore’s Ukkadam area, where individuals raised a Palestine flag atop a flyover. In response, the police have taken action, arresting Sabir Ali from the Jamaat-e-Hind outfit, as well as Abu Thahir and Rabeeq from the Manitha Neya Democratic party. Cases have been registered in connection with this incident.
Additionally, New College students in Chennai, an institution run by the Muslim Association of Southern India (MEASI), organised a demonstration in support of Palestine. The events surrounding the bail arrangement for Vinodh and the broader protests linked to Palestine continue to raise concerns and prompt ongoing discussions.
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In the wake of the recent bomb attack on the Governor’s residence, social media influencers have voiced their concerns, characterising the incident as a glaring and extraordinary display of anti-social, rowdy, and fundamentalist elements running rampant in the state of Tamil Nadu.
They argue that political parties disenchanted with the governor’s perceived anti-Dravidian stance and his disapproval of appeasement policies implemented by both the DMK and AIADMK have aligned with other factions advocating divisive politics. In particular, the influencers point to calls for the premature release of 36 Muslim prisoners and the removal of the BJP party flagpole, following objections from Muslims. These actions, they argue, have emboldened elements within the state to engage in such audacious acts.
The influencers also referred to the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by LTTE cadres in 1991, which remains vivid in the memories of Tamil Nadu residents. Given this historical context, they contend that providing excessive leeway to Dravidian parties, anti-national elements, naxal groups, and fundamentalists could jeopardise not only the state’s security but also India’s national security interests at large. These concerns highlight the broader implications of the recent attack on the Governor’s residence.
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