CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the DMK government for using force against sanitation workers who had risked their lives to clean the city during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Are they anti-social elements, criminals, or Naxalites, for the police to evict them from the pavement outside Ripon Building in the middle of the night,” he asked.

“They are poor and humble people. What is wrong in protesting peacefully to demand the DMK fulfil its own election promise,” he added, recalling a letter written by Chief Minister MK Stalin, when he was the Leader of the Opposition, urging the then government to make the conservancy workers permanent.

“In 79 years of independent India, no government has ever unleashed such midnight repression against sanitation workers, who serve both the government and the people,” Palaniswami said. He warned that the time was not far when the people of the State would give a fitting reply to the ruling party.

In a separate statement, expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam condemned the regime, stating that the protesting workers had evidence that the DMK had promised to regularise their jobs once in power. However, ministers were now denying having made such a promise, while the CM remains silent, he said, adding, “If the government continues to ignore the pain and tears of these workers, it will inevitably lead to its downfall.”