Opposition wants Centre to check Tamil Nadu violence

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK, have asked the Centre to take appropriate measures and restore normalcy in the region. 

The parties are concerned over the continuous violent incidents in the state after AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha was convicted in the disproportionate asset case.

Chairing a meeting of his district secretaries at the party headquarters here, DMK chief Karunanidhi alleged that the ruling party workers were indulging in various types of violent activities by damaging public property and causing huge losses to the government. 

 “They (AIADMK workers) have taken the law into their own hands. They are not taking police permission to stage protest,” a resolution, which was passed during the meeting, said.

Pointing out that the state witnessed large-scale violence leading to law and order problems because of Jayalalitha’s conviction, the DMK said unless stringent measures were taken immediately by the police and military administration, the safety of the people was in jeopardy. “If the present situation is allowed to continue, the state may witness worsening of law and order situation which will be a grave threat to the citizens’ life and property,” it said.  “Under these circumstances, we request the Centre to intervene and take appropriate measures forthwith to restore law and order.”

Meanwhile, the PMK, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, also alleged that the law and order situation had turned worse after Jayalalitha’s conviction.

The DMDK led by actor-politician Vijayakanth and the Vaiko-led MDMK  also expressed serious concern over the violent incidents.

The protests by the  AIADMK across Tamil Nadu demanding the early release of their Jayalalitha continued on Wednesday also. Hunger strike, human chain and processions were also organised by party functionaries in many districts as well as Chennai.

Stone throwing and road blockades were reported from southern districts of Tamil Nadu, including Trichy, Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli. Many commercial establishments in these districts were closed in view of violent activities. Special “poojas” and “abishekams” were held in various temples and special prayers were also held in churches across the state.