BJP's Annamalai slams petrol bomb attack on whistleblower's house
A gang allegedly engaged in smuggling Public Distribution System (PDS) rice hurled petrol bombs at the house of an advocate in Kovilpatti on April 23 as the latter tried to expose the accused, Pampu Karthik, for engaging in the smuggling of rice. has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
According to reports, the primary accused in the case, identified as Pampu Karthick, is allegedly associated with the DMK party. Karthick has been accused of smuggling ration rice and employing minor boys to transport bags of rice. Recently, when one of the minors refused to comply with his demands, Karthick reportedly attacked him.
Advocate V Mariselvam, a resident of the same locality, had questioned Karthick’s actions, particularly regarding the assault on the minor boy. Subsequently, suspicions arose that Mariselvam may have shared details of the smuggling activities with authorities, prompting retaliation from the gang.
In the early hours of April 23, the gang allegedly targeted Mariselvam’s house, hurling petrol bombs and causing damage to the property. Additionally, they vandalised the street and vehicles belonging to other residents in the area. The gang also targeted Mariselvam’s load vehicle, which was parked several kilometres away from his house.
Karthik is known for his proximity to the DMK leadership, ministers, and functionaries, like international drug peddler, film producer and expelled DMK functionary Jaffar Sadiq.
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Reports suggest that a staggering 3.5 tonnes of rationed rice are smuggled from Kovilpatti to other states every month. Last year, Duraipandi was murdered in connection with ration rice smuggling in the area. However, the continuous smuggling of rationed rice underscores the audacity of the smugglers. Police said “over 10 criminal cases, including smuggling of ganja and PDS rice, are pending against Karthick.
TN BJP Chief K Annamalai, taking to his X platform said “I strongly condemn the Thoothukudi district DMK for encouraging the ration rice smuggling gang and creating insecurity among the public.” Pointing out the lack of action by both the police and the Tamil Nadu Food Smuggling Cell, given the ruling party’s alleged involvement. He emphasised the need for immediate action to prevent further crimes. Annamalai said, “The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is distributing rice in ration shops with the noble intention of providing food to all, it is degrading that the DMK is smuggling ration rice and selling it to other states. Since the smuggling of ration rice involves the ruling party, the police not taking any action will lead to more crimes. I urge the DMK government to immediately arrest all the members of the ration rice smuggling gang, including this individual, and take strict action.”
Annamalai as well as former chief minister O Panneerselvam, both sought action against the accused. Mariselvam said that over 21 people had barged into his house on Tuesday, but he was able to identify only 15 of them. Police said they have filed two FIRs, saying “one at Kovilpatti West police station for hurling a petrol bomb at the advocate’s house, and another at Koppampatti police station, where the gang had ransacked a complainant’s farm. We have collected CCTV footage, and further investigation is on”.
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