Tamil Nadu: Violent calshes erupt as DMK cadres prevent SC men from submitting tender documents and disrobe them

The altercation between the DMK cadres and those belonging to the Scheduled Caste community quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to extensive property damage and injuries.

As the BJP delegation arrived at the Deputy Director of Mines’ office to submit their bid, they were met by a group of over 300 DMK supporters who reportedly tore their tender documents into pieces, effectively preventing their submission. The tension between the two parties escalated rapidly, with reports of DMK members attacking the BJP representatives and even assaulting government officials and a few police personnel present at the scene. Government properties on the first floor of the Collectorate were also vandalised during the fracas.

District Magistrate K Karpagam intervened in an attempt to restore order, ordering the crowd to disperse immediately. Injured government officials received outpatient treatment at a local government hospital. Following a complaint lodged by Jayapal, the Deputy Director of the Department of Geology and Mining, the police registered cases under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damages and Loss) Act.

Several individuals were booked in connection with the incident, including Mahendran, the Personal Assistant to Transport Minister Shivasankar, Perambalur DMK MLA M Prabhakaran, and Ramesh, an office bearer of the DMK IT wing.

This violent incident underscores the escalating tensions in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape as the state grapples with unrest and clashes between various political factions. It raises concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation and the need for immediate measures to maintain peace and civility in the region.

It has been reported that MLA Prabakaran’s personal assistant, Sivasankar, tore up tender applications and allegedly subjected government officers to physical assault during a recent confrontation. The incident took place during a tense standoff between the ruling DMK party and the BJP, leading to severe injuries and property damage.

Among the victims of this violent incident was the BJP Traders Wing District president, P Murugesan, who not only suffered physical harm but also had his clothing torn and was brutally beaten during the chaotic events.

According to BJP functionary Selvakumar, it is believed that DMK members orchestrated these violent actions to obstruct a Dalit individual from securing a tender bid. The Dalit man and his supporters were reportedly assaulted within the Collector’s office, even in the presence of the Superintendent of Police (SP). The situation escalated to a point where the Dalit man was stripped of his pants and forced to sit on the floor, adding a deeply disturbing dimension to the already tumultuous events.

These developments raise serious concerns about the safety and security of individuals involved in political processes in Tamil Nadu. The incident highlights the need for an immediate response to address the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, as political tensions continue to escalate, resulting in violent clashes and harm to individuals across party lines.

Tamil Nadu has witnessed disturbing incidents that have once again raised questions about the state of law and order in the region. In one incident, BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai has called for the arrest of DMK members involved in a violent attack on BJP members and government officials in Perambalur. The incident unfolded when Perambalur Kavulpalayam Panchayat Council President and Industrial Division District Vice President Kalaichelvan, along with Industrial Division District President Murugesan, attempted to submit bids for quarries in the district. As tensions flared, Deputy Director of Mineral Resources Jayapal, Assistant Geologist Ilangovan, Revenue Inspector Kumari Anandan, DSP Mr. Palanichamy, and other police officers were also attacked. Despite the district collector’s warning, the DMK supporters did not disperse, even assaulting journalists at the scene.

An outraged K. Annamalai expressed concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu, citing a recent incident where a village administrative officer was hacked to death in his office. The arrest of 13 DMK members in connection with the scuffle followed intense pressure and media coverage. However, notably, key figures like Minister’s PA Mahendran, MLA M Prabhakaran’s PA Shivasankar, and District Secretary Rajendran’s son Ramesh, an officer of the DMK IT wing, were not apprehended. The incident raises questions about the DMK’s alleged attempt to gain monopoly rights over natural resources like sand and stone quarries in the state.

In a separate incident in Cuddalore, a mob, reportedly influenced by a DMK councillor, targeted the residence of a social activist and ex-serviceman. The attack was triggered by the presence of CCTV cameras that the ex-serviceman had installed for his house’s security and to monitor the neighborhood.

The activist, residing in Dhanalakshmi Nagar, Manjakuppam, Kadalur, had equipped his home with 12 CCTV cameras. He utilised the footage to identify individuals involved in suspicious and criminal activities, displaying their names on banners. One such banner targeted DMK Councillor of the 12th ward, T. Prasanna Kumar, and his associates. Police officials arrived at the scene and questioned the intruders who had damaged the CCTVs. The recorded CCTV footage capturing the men’s intrusion and vandalism was shared with the media and law enforcement.

BJP state secretary SG Surya, along with district functionaries, visited the activist’s house to assess the situation. Surya emphasised that Arul, a former soldier with 16 years of military service, has been dedicated to public service in his area and actively working to address social issues in the community. These incidents underscore the growing concerns about law and order in Tamil Nadu and the need for a swift and effective response to maintain peace and security in the state.

Though the DMK claims to champion the upliftment and empowerment of its much touted social justice ideology, the ground reality is totally different from what it claims.