The Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore is set to open a new 60-bed ward on Monday, amid a rise in the number of children seeking treatment for viral fever. The additional facility is expected to ease pressure on existing paediatric wards.

Private hospitals in Chennai are also witnessing a surge in patients with respiratory infections, influenza and dengue, with crowded outpatient departments and wards. Some hospitals have reported waits of up to 12 hours for beds, although doctors said most infections were mild.

At the State level, around 19,000 dengue cases and nine deaths had been reported up to Sunday. Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu were among the districts reporting higher numbers of fever cases. About 2.24 lakh dengue tests had been conducted, while fever surveillance was being carried out at 5,818 government and private medical facilities. As many as 26,303 health workers have been deployed for field-level surveillance and response.

In Chennai, more than 3,000 fever cases were reported during the first 20 days of September, including 180 dengue cases. Around 4,500 fever cases were reported in August, of which 160 were dengue. Adyar, Anna Nagar and Valasaravakkam have reported relatively higher numbers.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has intensified mosquito-control operations across all 15 zones, with house-to-house surveillance, source reduction, larvicidal treatment and fogging being stepped up amid intermittent rain. Officials have also been directed to obtain regular fever-case reports from private hospitals and identify mosquito-breeding sources around reported cases.

Government hospitals across the State are being kept prepared with fever wards, diagnostic facilities, medicines, equipment and beds. In Thoothukudi, a government medical college hospital has already earmarked 100 beds in separate adult and paediatric dengue wards, reflecting the broader preparedness drive.

While the Health Department has said the State’s dengue situation is within the seasonal pattern and not at an unusually high or dangerous level, the continuing rise in cases has prompted hospitals and civic agencies to maintain heightened preparedness as the monsoon progresses.

The woman alleged that she met the granite businessman to seek financial help for her daughter's education and the businessman helped the girl enrol in a school. According to the woman's complaint, the businessman sexually abused the girl when she was in class 12.

Distressed over the incident, the girl took her life after which the mother filed a complaint at Ice House police station over a decade ago. However, the documents related to the complaint were allegedly damaged in the attack on Ice House police station during the Jallikattu protests in 2017.

The police said they were probing the veracity of the allegations by the woman.

Tamil Nadu police chief Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal DGP has already constituted a four-member special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the Pocso Act case against Veeramani.

The team is headed by PC Thenmozhi, Additional Commissioner, Central Crime Branch, Greater Chennai Police. The other members are Disha Mittal, Joint Commissioner (Law and Order), West, GCP; J Mutharasi, SP/Media Relations Officer in the DGP's office; and V V Geethanjali, Deputy Commissioner, Crime Against Women and Children, GCP.

Apart from Veeramani, three other persons - Mahandra Simhan, his wife Shanti, and Ganesan, a former employee of Veeramani’s Gem group - were arrested by the police. MP Ranjan Kumar, Tamil Nadu Congress functionary who claimed that he approached the city police with a complaint in 2024 itself, was questioned by the SIT recently.

He urged the Centre to restrict rice exports and impose stock limits on wholesalers to increase domestic availability. Citing Andhra Pradesh's Rythu Bazaars, where select rice varieties are sold at Rs 50 per kg, he urged Tamil Nadu to adopt a similar model.

Anbumani said prices of commonly used rice varieties had increased by Rs 17 to Rs 40 per kg since June, putting a heavy burden on poor and middle-class families. He said the price of Mysore Ponni and Andhra Ponni had risen from Rs 50 to Rs 65 two months ago and had now touched Rs 85 per kg.

Similarly, the price of ultra fine rice has increased from Rs 55 to Rs 90 95, while idli rice has risen from Rs 43 to Rs 60 per kg. Premium varieties of idli rice are being sold at up to Rs 71 per kg, he said.

Anbumani attributed the increase partly to reduced paddy cultivation in Delta districts and lower production in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. However, he alleged that expectations of a shortage during the current kuruvai and samba seasons were also being used to artificially push up prices.

He claimed the TVK chief hid himself in his Panaiyur residence for 72 days when other political parties were mourning and helping the victims' kin.

He questioned Vijay’s response to the tragedy and alleged that the TVK president did not visit the injured in hospitals or the homes of those who died. “Vijay left Karur soon after the incident and remained away from public view for an extended period. He did not visit those admitted to hospitals or the homes of the victims to offer condolences, unlike leaders of other political parties,” Palaniswami said.

He also criticised Vijay for inviting bereaved families to Chennai to meet him instead of visiting their homes to offer condolences.

Turning his attention to the Dharapuram by-election, Palaniswami alleged that TVK’s candidate had entered the party through “horse-trading” and urged voters to teach her a “befitting lesson” for betraying the people’s mandate.

Palaniswami further claimed that even Left parties that had extended political support to TVK had expressed reservations about its functioning and warned that they could reconsider their support if the situation continued.

Targeting the TVK over unfulfilled electoral promises, Palaniswami questioned the proposal to construct a new Secretariat using borrowed funds, accusing the government of spending excessively.

“Vijay is a costly Chief Minister. Around Rs.4.5 crore was spent to release water from the Mettur dam,” he said. Palaniswami also criticised the government over power cuts, alleging that interruptions had become frequent even during programmes attended by Ministers.

Palaniswami also hit back at Vijay’s criticism that AIADMK was a “branch of the DMK”, displaying a photograph of Vijay riding a bicycle with a sticker bearing the DMK's flag colours during the 2021 Assembly election.

“TVK is a branch of the DMK, not AIADMK,” Palaniswami said, while dismissing Vijay’s claim that AIADMK would eventually merge with TVK. He said AIADMK had remained politically resilient despite facing several challenges since its formation.

Palaniswami launched his strongest attack while referring to the Karur stampede, in which 41 people died during a TVK campaign rally.

Under the scheme, a key poll promise of the ruling TVK, the government will give a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring to babies born in state-run hospitals. To be eligible for the scheme, mothers of newborns must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu.

According to sources, the CM will inaugurate the scheme at the hospital’s auditorium and present gold rings to 25 newborns. He is also scheduled to visit the maternity ward to personally present rings to infants born on the day.

The scheme was originally scheduled to be launched on September 15, the birth anniversary of late Chief Minister CN Annadurai, but it was postponed due to Vijay’s overseas trip to London.

The state government has allocated an annual outlay of Rs 755.83 crore for the scheme, and 1.28 lakh rings are already ready.

The rings will carry unique serial numbers and will be distributed in tamper-proof packaging, the government said in a press release.

The scheme will be implemented across the state, except in areas falling under the Maduranthakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, where bypolls are scheduled to be held on October 6.

Eligible beneficiaries should be registered under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system and have a Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) ID.

The rings will be given when the beneficiaries are discharged from the hospitals.

Work orders have been issued to Joyalukkas and Kalyan Jewellers for the supply of the rings. A Government Order on the implementation of the scheme was notified on June 23, 2026. A specialised monitoring committee has been constituted in every district under the respective district collector to oversee local implementation, inventory tracking and transparency in distribution.

Later in the day, the CM will declare open the renovated Gandhi Memorial Museum and inspect its facilities. Though not officially confirmed, Vijay is expected to visit the iconic Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai, which recently underwent consecration.

Nagercoil YouTuber Madhumitha (29) lost 220 sovereigns of gold jewellery after unidentified persons allegedly broke into her house at VIP Garden in Thammathu Konam on September 24.

The incident occurred when Madhumitha, her husband Vinothkumar and their two-year-old child had gone out to purchase clothes for their daughter’s upcoming birthday.

Police suspect that the robbers might have targeted the house after watching her reels and other social media posts showcasing her extensive gold jewellery collection and posts about buying gold.

While police were searching for the suspects, Madhumitha uploaded another reel featuring film lyrics conveying the message, “Let it go... who has ever lived permanently on this earth anyway?”

The video crossed one million views, following which she uploaded more than 10 reels on Instagram in a single day.

One of the videos showed her showering currency notes over herself and her two-year-old child. In another, while tossing Rs 500 notes into the air, she said that having a girl child at home was equivalent to having Goddess Mahalakshmi and that receiving money directly in her hand would bring prosperity.

The video has since gone viral on social media.

Police said that the girl’s parents had left home to attend an event at a relative’s house when the accused entered the house and sexually abused her. 

After the parents returned, the girl narrated the incident to them after which they filed a police complaint. A case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act was registered on Sunday in Chengalpattu district.

Police identified the suspect on Sunday and detained him for questioning. The girl was taken to a hospital for medical examination and will be provided counselling. DMK MP Kanimozhi took to social media and condemned the TVK government for failing in ensuring safety of women and children. 

Officials from the Chengalpattu district administration met the family and handed them a compensation from the TN Victim Compensation Fund. Police dismissed reports that there were more than 1 man involved in the sexual abuse and maintained that their investigation so far had revealed that only one suspect in the case. Further investigations are underway.

A third-year computer science student at Sadakathullah Appa College in Tirunelveli, Jamil, who is also the chairperson of the college students’ council, displayed the ‘Warriors of Well-being’ (WOW) badge on her WhatsApp status after joining the Tirunelveli Range police's anti-drug initiative.

The response surprised her. She shared her experience of how her parents appreciated her decision, while around 10 of her friends followed suit, signing up on the website and taking an anti-drug pledge after seeing her status. The WOW badge has since become a popular WhatsApp status among students at the college.

“Having a WOW digital badge has given me a new identity and helped me shed my fear. I feel safer,” Jamil said.

Her experience is part of a larger effort by the Tirunelveli Range police to turn the fight against drugs into a community movement. The initiative has so far resulted in 120 villages being declared drug-free, while thousands of youngsters have been enrolled as ‘Warriors of Well-being’.

R Thirunavukkarasu, Deputy Inspector General of Police, who conceived the initiative, told DT NEXT that 4,340 students had registered for WOW since its launch on August 11, 2026, when the State government organised a mass anti-drug pledge-taking ceremony.

To join WOW, students have to enter their details, upload a photograph or take a selfie, and upload their Aadhaar card before taking an anti-drug pledge.

“Once they complete the process, they will get the digital badge. We want them to be part of the journey to eradicate drugs from our society. We also encourage them to use it on their social media profiles, which will increase their confidence level,” said Thirunavukkarasu.

“DIG sir introduced WOW to us when he visited our NCC camp at Keelapavoor. All 50 of us immediately took the anti-drug pledge to join the group,” he said.

Ponnarasu said he learnt about the ill-effects of drugs only after joining the group. For many students from rural areas, he added, the WOW badge had become more than a social media status, giving them a sense of dignity as they contributed to the betterment of society.

The initiative has also been extended to villages across the four districts under the Tirunelveli Range — Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari.

South Zone IG Vijayendra Bidari underscored the importance of the mission, saying that a drug-free village is built not by the Police alone, but by an entire community united against drugs.

"Village Vigilance Committees (VVCs) formed by police can play a vital role in creating drug-free villages by becoming the eyes and ears of the community—identifying early signs of drug use, discreetly sharing credible information with the Police and creating awareness among youth. This initiative seeks to transform the fight against drugs from a purely policing effort into a more sustainable community movement," he told DT Next.

Deputy Superintendents of Police in the four districts have been asked to use social media to announce the mission and build support for eradicating drug use in identified villages.

In Nanguneri division, 14 of the 21 identified villages have already been declared drug-free.

“Of the 21 villages identified under the Nanguneri division, we have declared 14 drug-free. We will complete the task in the remaining villages before October 12,” said Sathishkannan in a social media post.

Explaining the process, DSP Sathishkannan told DT Next that police first conduct raids at shops and other establishments in the identified villages to check for ganja and gutkha.

“Then, once a week, police inspectors in their respective jurisdictions conduct anti-drug awareness programmes in colleges, schools and anganwadis. This has increased confidence among the people,” he said.

Educational institutions are being targeted as part of the effort, as peddlers often target students, he added.

Police have also arrested four ganja sellers and booked them under the Goondas Act, said Inspector Madaswamy of the Moolakarapatti police station.

“Now, villagers have also been sensitised to inform the police about the movement of suspicious persons,” he said.

According to Thirunavukkarasu, the police strategy combines enforcement against drug peddlers with community participation.

“At the first stage, we targeted 120 villages where drug usage was minimal, declaring them drug-free in July 2026. At the second stage, we will declare another 130 villages drug-free this October,” he added.

Speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to veteran journalist and Dina Thanthi founder SiPa Aditanar at Egmore on his 122nd birth anniversary, Rajmohan said merely changing individuals in the Election Commission would not resolve the issue.

"Changing the Election Commissioner will not end the issue. Attempts to scapegoat certain individuals are an effort to divert attention. We will not fall for this politics," he said.

On SIR, Rajmohan said the TVK had opposed the exercise both before and after coming to power. "Look at the statement issued by the TVK before it came to power. The entire SIR exercise is a fraud," he said.

He also claimed that the TVK could have won more seats had voters not been deleted during the SIR exercise.

His speech reflects what is in his mind uncensored, the TVK leader said. "Udhayanidhi has been speaking out of extreme frustration. He speaks without restraint. Those in public life have a responsibility to know how they should speak,” the minister said, referring to his use of a word with dual meaning, referring to CM Vijay's choice of building a new sea-facing Secretariat.

Speaking to reporters after participating in a community valaikappu (baby-shower) ceremony for pregnant women organised by the district administration, the minister said members of the Karunanidhi family had been speaking in this manner for three generations.

The minister also questioned Udhayanidhi’s remarks, asking, “Can he show what he said to the women and children in his own family?” He went on to say that this raised the question of whether women were safe in a party where such statements were made.

Udhayanidhi should withdraw from public life, the minister said. “He will remain a novice till the end. DMK cadres should introspect on whether the party has a future under Udhayanidhi,” he said.

Criticising AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, the minister said, “By acting in support of the DMK, Edappadi Palaniswami will not rest until he digs a grave and buries the AIADMK.”

Meanwhile, the minister said, “We have the responsibility of ensuring that government offices function 100 per cent without corruption. The Chief Minister has instructed people not to pay bribes if anyone demands one. If bribes are demanded in any government office, the public should come forward and lodge a complaint, he added. "Appropriate action will be taken if information is received,” the minister said.

The gold bars, along with 28 sovereigns of jewellery and Rs 12.1 lakh in cash, were seized from Kutty alias Saravanan (50) of Athur in Thoothukudi and his five relatives during a vehicle check within the Kenikkarai police limits on September 17. The gold bars are estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore.

The claim that the gold was simply found in the river, however, has come under scrutiny.

The Customs Department has informed the Ramanathapuram police that 24 bars, bearing the names Valcambi Suisse and Airgar, are from Switzerland and are suspected of having been smuggled into India through illegal routes. It said action would be initiated under Sections 110 and 111 of the Customs Act.

“These 24 gold bars, bearing the names Valcambi Suisse and Airgar, are from Switzerland, while the remaining 14 bars are from MMTC-PAMP, a Government of India-authorised gold-bar seller. However, the standard response given by the member of the Kattunayakan community during our inquiry was that he had found the gold bars in the Thamirabarani River,” G Chandeesh, Superintendent of Police, Ramanathapuram, told DT Next.

The five — two from Ramanathapuram district and three from Thoothukudi district — are relatives. Police said they claim to have recovered the gold a couple of months ago.

Balu Kutty alias Saravanan (50) of Athur in Thoothukudi district told police that he had found the gold in the river and distributed the bars among his relatives for safekeeping and to sell them. He reportedly said he did not feel it was safe to keep the gold at his thatched house near the river.

Police suspect that the group may have sold part of the gold, lost some in the process or been cheated while attempting to dispose of the bars. No one has come forward so far to claim ownership of the gold.

Though some members of the Kattunayakan community have been involved in robbery cases, police said the five persons in the present case do not appear to have any criminal antecedents. This has added another layer to the mystery surrounding the origin of the gold.

With the five unable to produce valid documents for the valuables, the Kenikkarai police registered a case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) on September 18 and seized the goods. The Judicial Magistrate Court-I subsequently directed that the valuables be kept in the safe custody of the District Treasury Officer.

The Ramanathapuram police then wrote to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Customs Department on September 19. In communications dated September 22 and 24, the Customs Department informed the police that it was ready to take custody of the gold in accordance with the prescribed legal process.

Customs has specifically flagged the 24 Swiss-marked bars, suspecting that they entered India through illegal routes. Action under Sections 110 and 111 of the Customs Act is expected to follow, the SP said.

“After we seized the valuables, we photographed them using the eSakshya (e-Evidence) App. We will hand over the gold bars to the Customs Department shortly through the court,” Chandeesh said.

The Ramanathapuram police are expected to hand over the gold bars, currently kept with the District Treasury Officer, to Customs through the court within the next two days.

The Customs Department has also expressed its willingness to take custody of the remaining 14 Indian-made gold bars and investigate their origin, as the five also lacked valid documentation.

For now, the central question remains unanswered: Did the Kattunayakans really strike gold in the Thamirabarani — or did a smuggling trail end up in their hands?

The farmers say the water shortage has become so severe that they are now seeking an alternative lifeline — a proposal to divert surplus water from the Amaravathi Dam to Uppar through a new connecting channel.

“Water theft by hundreds of coir-making units and poultry farms along the PAP main canal is one of the major reasons for the shortage. Water meant for Uppar is being diverted along the way,” alleged A Kalimuthu, president of Tamilaga Katchi Sarbatra Vivasayigal Sangam.

The Uppar Dam, with a storage capacity of 576 mcft, irrigates about 6,060 acres through its right and left bank canals. Farmers say water is also essential to meet the drinking water requirements of people and livestock in the area.

Built across the Uppar stream in 1958 to store surplus water from the PAP system, the dam supplied adequate water for more than two decades, allowing farmers to cultivate even paddy. However, farmers say the situation changed after the PAP command area was expanded from 2.75 lakh acres to nearly four lakh acres.

“After the expansion, there was not enough water even to meet the requirements of PAP farmers. The situation has worsened year after year. Since the 1990s, we have been receiving water only after staging protests,” Kalimuthu said.

Over the past 15 years, farming in the Uppar ayacut has become largely dependent on rainfall, farmers said. They also alleged that water flow to the dam is impeded by around 18 check dams along the 48-km Uppar Odai.

“This year, despite our protests, we could not receive water. Last year, the Uppar Dam received water for only 10 days following a breach in a PAP main canal,” Kalimuthu said.

With irrigation becoming increasingly uncertain, farmers have turned to deep borewells. They said the groundwater table in several areas has fallen beyond 1,500 feet, making it increasingly difficult and expensive to sustain agriculture.

Farmers are now renewing a long-standing proposal to create an alternative water source by diverting water from the Amaravathi Dam’s main canal to Uppar Dam through an approximately eight-km channel.

“About four TMC of surplus water from the Amaravathi Dam could be diverted to Uppar through an eight-km channel. This would provide a more reliable source of water and reduce our dependence on the PAP system,” said S. Venkatachalam, a farmer dependent on Uppar Dam.

The proposal is particularly significant for coconut growers, who say inadequate irrigation has already affected their yields. “The recent rains have provided some relief. Otherwise, the situation would have become much worse and the borewells could also have dried up. If there is no further rain, farmers may be forced to buy tanker water to save the crops,” he said.

Farmers said adequate water supply earlier enabled them to harvest coconuts in five cycles a year, but the number has fallen to around three cycles this year. As the Dharapuram bypoll brings farmers’ concerns into sharper focus, Uppar farmers say stopping water thefts and finding an alternative source through the proposed Amaravathi link are essential to prevent further agricultural distress.

DAMNED DAM

• Farmers allege diversion of water to coir units and poultry farms

• Uppar Dam irrigates around 6,060 acres

• Dam capacity: 576 mcft

• Farmers say water shortage has worsened since PAP expansion

• Groundwater has fallen below 1,500 feet in some areas

• Farmers seek an eight-km Amaravathi-Uppar link

While farmers dependent on Uppar Dam are demanding water to protect their crops amid drought-like conditions, PAP ayacut farmers are strongly opposing any diversion, contending that the storage in the Thirumoorthi reservoir is insufficient even to meet their own irrigation requirements.

The issue acquired a political dimension recently when PAP-dependent farmers confronted TVK candidate P Sathyabama during her campaign in Kundadam and questioned her over the proposed release of PAP water to Uppar Dam. PAP Planning Committee chairman K Paramasivam said water could be released to Uppar only if there was adequate surplus in the PAP system.

“Water can be released only when the PAP system has satisfactory storage and surplus water is available. There is no justification for releasing water compulsorily when the PAP system itself is struggling to meet the requirements of its ayacut farmers,” he said.

According to farmers, the proposed release would not immediately solve the water crisis faced by Uppar-dependent farmers. Water released from Thirumoorthi reservoir has to travel nearly 50 km through the PAP main canal and another 40 km through the Uppar Odai before reaching Uppar Dam.

The Uppar Odai has several check dams and nearby ponds, farmers said, adding that the watercourse is currently dry and overgrown with ‘seemai karuvelam’ (prosopis) vegetation. They contend that unless the watercourse is cleared and sufficient flow is ensured, even a release from Thirumoorthi reservoir may not result in substantial inflow into Uppar Dam.

The competing demands have intensified amid a sharp decline in water availability in the PAP system. Farmers said the system had around 23 TMC of water at this time last year, compared with only about eight TMC now. Around 6,000 acres in Dharapuram are dependent on Uppar Dam, while the PAP system caters to about 60,000 acres in the region, according to farmer representatives.

PAP farmers say they are already struggling to protect their own crops as water has not been released adequately and irrigation channels remain uncleared. “Of the nearly 1,800 km of channels requiring desilting, around 200 km falls within Dharapuram constituency,” they said.

PAP Distributory Committee chairman in Kundadam P. Eswaran said farmers had repeatedly met ministers and senior officials seeking funds for desilting and maintenance, but the works were yet to begin.

“Coconut trees across lakhs of acres are drying up. Farmers have met several ministers and officials over the past few months seeking funds to desilt the channels, but the work has not started. Unless the vegetation is cleared, water will not reach the tail-end areas,” he said.

Farmers also point out that water was expected to be released for the PAP irrigation areas in August, but the release has not taken place as anticipated. They said the government’s proposal to release water to Uppar Dam had been deferred following protests from PAP farmers.

The stakes are particularly high in Dharapuram, where coconut cultivation dominates the agricultural landscape, with farmers estimating that coconut plantations cover nearly one lakh acres. Vegetable crops, drumstick and maize are also cultivated in the region.

With their plantations under stress, farmers say they are being forced to buy tanker water to keep the coconut trees alive. “Farmers are paying around Rs 6,000 for a tanker carrying about 24,000 litres of water to save the coconut trees. If there is no rain for another month, the trees could completely dry up,” Eswaran said.

As the by-election campaign gathers pace, the PAP-Uppar dispute has brought the constituency’s water crisis squarely into the political spotlight, with rival groups of farmers demanding that their competing irrigation needs be addressed without jeopardising their livelihoods.

"Political leaders can speak about 'mode' while seeking votes, but speaking about 'mood' is not acceptable. Udhayanidhi's remarks are condemnable. Political discourse is increasingly taking a turn towards double meanings," she said.

Taking aim at the TVK government's liquor policy, Tamilisai alleged that the government, despite announcing the closure of more than 700 liquor outlets, was expanding liquor sales by offering concessions to bars and proposing liquor outlets along with restaurants. She questioned whether the move amounted to a betrayal of women who had voted in large numbers.

On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the BJP leader said TVK leaders should thank the exercise, claiming that without SIR, Rajmohan could not have become a minister and Joseph Vijay could not have become Chief Minister. She criticised those opposing SIR merely because others were doing so.

The former governor also sought clarity on the government's plans for Pattinapakkam, alleged that power cuts persisted despite claims to the contrary, and criticised the practice of allegedly purchasing MLAs, calling it contrary to democratic principles.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay recalled Aditanar’s lasting contributions to journalism and public life, noting that he had introduced a lively, accessible style that helped carry the newspaper-reading habit across Tamil Nadu, including to remote parts of the State. Aditanar’s efforts also played a pioneering role in fostering political and social awareness, he added.

Vijay noted that Aditanar held several key positions, including serving as a State Cabinet Minister and Assembly Speaker. As Speaker, he introduced the practice of starting the House's daily proceedings with a Thirukkural couplet.

Describing Aditanar as “Thamizhar Thanthai”, Vijay said he had devoted his life to the advancement of the Tamil language and its people. “Aditanar’s legacy will remain etched in Tamil Nadu’s history,” the Chief Minister said.

On behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, Speaker JCD Prabhakar, Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataramanan, and School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity Minister Rajmohan garlanded Aditanar’s statue in Egmore and offered floral tributes to his portrait.

DMK president MK Stalin recalled Aditanar’s rich contributions to Tamil journalism, the Tamil language, and society. “Si Pa Aditanar, the patriarch of Tamil journalism, was hailed by Thanthai Periyar himself as one who accomplished difficult deeds,” Stalin said. “He transformed journalism by adopting a simple style that enabled ordinary people to read and understand developments around the world. In his political career, Aditanar served as a two-time DMK MLA, Speaker of the TN Assembly under CN Annadurai, and a Minister in Karunanidhi’s Cabinet.”

Maalai Murasu Managing Director R Kannan Adithan, Daily Thanthi Group Chairman S Balasubramanian Adityan, and Director B Sivanthi Adityan garlanded the statue and paid their respects.

Employees of Daily Thanthi, DT Next, Maalai Malar, Rani, Ranimuthu, Rani Printers, Hello FM, Thanthi TV, Subasree, India Cabs, AMN TV, Gokulam Kathir, Pharos Hotel, and Maalai Murasu also paid their respects.

Born on September 27, 1905, in Kayamozhi village near Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi, Aditanar completed his legal studies abroad and qualified as a barrister. He launched the bi-weekly Madurai Murasu in 1942 and later started the weekly Thamizhan.

His commitment to publishing factual news without fear remained unchanged even after the British government banned his publication. In November 1942, he launched Dina Thanthi in Madurai and later started Maalai Malar and the weekly Rani. He made a mark on Tamil journalism by using simple words and short sentences to make news accessible to readers.

Aditanar served in the Madras Legislative Council (1942-1953) and the Legislative Assembly (1957-1962). In 1967, when CN Annadurai became Chief Minister, he was elected Speaker of the Assembly. He later served as Cooperation and Agriculture Minister in 1969.

The government observes his birth anniversary as an official State function every year.

The Chennai railway division first wrote to the state-run liquor retailer in September 2024 and again in May 2025. Having received no response, it took the matter to the chief secretary in July this year, according to railway sources.

The identified outlets are spread across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Kanchipuram districts.

Railway officials have flagged locations, including Royapuram, Korukkupet, Perambur, Jolarpet, Villivakkam, Avadi, Ennore, Thiruvalangadu and Nandiambakkam.

Officials said people drinking near the shops sometimes enter railway property, cross tracks at vulnerable points, travel dangerously on trains or sleep on platforms and inside coaches.

They have also reported harassment of women passengers, disturbances to railway staff, littering, theft and tampering with railway assets, including copper signal wires.

Commuter representatives said passengers have faced problems near stations at Ambattur, Tiruvallur, Avadi and Tambaram Sanatorium.

At Ambattur, some customers allegedly take liquor onto suburban trains and occupy coach floors.

The subway at Tiruvallur has reportedly become a drinking spot, leaving women reluctant to use it after dark.

In Avadi, groups gathering near an outlet on Station Road affect access to the station, a hospital and a temple.

Tasmac officials, however, have said finding replacement premises was difficult. The corporation has considered shifting more than 100 outlets across Tamil Nadu, but several proposed sites met with residents’ objections or proved unsuitable.

At least seven shops near railway facilities have been closed or moved in recent months.

The TVK government recently closed 717 Tasmac outlets within 500 metres of educational institutions, places of worship and bus stands.

A Tasmac official said there was no specific rule on the distance between liquor shops and railway tracks.

The official said several states were considering guidelines because more than 17,000 liquor outlets were situated near tracks nationwide.

An official of a Tasmac workers’ association suggested that the Railway Board seek court directions on suitable rules. The railway wants the outlets shifted to reduce risks around busy passenger corridors.

The agency had registered an FIR against Velu and others on June 25 alleging that payments were made to a contractor before the commencement of road infrastructure works, resulting in corruption in the allotment of project funds.

In the latest case registered by the DVAC Tiruvannamalai unit, the conference was held on December 14 last year at Kalaignar Thidal in Malappambadi village on about 124.56 acres owned by Arunai Products and Services, in which Kumaran is a director. Velu, who was then the Minister for Highways, Minor Ports and Public Works, and the DMK Northern Zonal in-charge, had organised and supervised the conference, according to the document.

The DVAC said that its factual verification found unauthorised excavation of soil and gravel at several locations inside Malappambadi Lake. The lake, spread over 70.65 acres, had not been included in a June 2024 district notification permitting removal of clay, silt and gravel from certain water bodies. The FIR alleges that the excavated material was transported by excavators and trucks and used to level the conference venue. It further states that no permission had been obtained from the Revenue Department, Corporation or Geology and Mining Department for excavation and removal of material from Malappambadi Lake.

The DVAC also examined permissions obtained by Kumaran for removing clay and silt from nearby Palliyampattu lake. The FIR states that two permissions were issued in October and November 2025, but its verification found that no clay or silt had actually been removed from that lake.

The complaint had estimated that over 45.72 lakh cubic feet of lake-bed sand was removed from about eight acres of Malappambadi Lake, causing an estimated loss of Rs 8.22 crore to the government exchequer. The FIR records this as the petitioner’s calculation.

The FIR further alleges that officials of the Revenue Department, Corporation and Geology and Mining Department failed to take effective action despite complaints and information about the excavation.

The agency said a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, unauthorised extraction/theft of lake-bed material, criminal misconduct by public servants and abetment was made out against Velu, Kumaran and others, with their specific roles and liabilities to be established during the investigation.

The victim, Vinitha Rajesh, who runs a lottery shop at Nambiarkunnu, suffered multiple serious injuries in the attack.

Police took Sivakumar of Pattavayal in Tamil Nadu into custody following the incident, officials said.

According to police, Sivakumar frequently visited Wayanad to purchase lottery tickets but had not won any prizes.

On Sunday morning, Sivakumar reached the lottery shop in an inebriated condition and picked up a quarrel, alleging that he had never won a prize on any of the tickets he purchased, police said.

In a fit of rage, he allegedly stabbed Vinitha in the neck and also injured her head, officials said.

People present at the spot intervened and restrained Sivakumar before rushing Vinitha to a hospital in Sultan Bathery, police said.

Her condition is currently stable, officials said.

Police soon reached the spot and took Sivakumar into custody.

The area is close to the Tamil Nadu border, and people from the neighbouring state frequently purchase lottery tickets from Vinitha's shop, police said.

The daring pursuit by head constable M Velmurugan ended near Thekkalur in Avinashi in Tirupur with the arrest of the accused Babudhara, 27, Ramesh Kumar, 23, and Suresh Kumar, 23, all natives of Rajasthan.

A police team, including Velmurugan, from the Kovilpalayam police station was on a routine vehicle check in the Vilankurichi area on Sunday when they intercepted a car with Karnataka registration.

When the police personnel attempted to inspect the sacks kept in the boot of the vehicle, the occupants suddenly pushed the cops aside and sped away. However, just as the car started moving, constable Velmurugan jumped onto the vehicle and clung to its roof. The car sped away on the Coimbatore-Salem National Highways towards Kaniyur toll plaza and was headed towards Avinashi.

Soon, the police from Kaniyur and Avinashi stations also joined the chase. After nearly 40 km, the car was finally surrounded by the police near the Thekkalur checkpoint. There, two of the occupants attempted to flee, but the police caught them.

Several motorists recorded the sight of the cop clinging precariously from the roof of the speeding car and shared it on social media.

A search of the car revealed the men were in the possession of around 170 kg of gutka and other tobacco products they had procured from Bengaluru. “Our team had received a tip-off that a car was carrying banned tobacco products, and we had been conducting vehicle checks from 3 am. Around 5 am, a car carrying three occupants arrived. After being intercepted, the car suddenly reversed at a high speed and was about to get away when I climbed onto its roof and held on,” said Velmurugan.

Minister for Backward Classes Welfare V Sampath Kumar and minister for Prohibition and Excise K Vignesh congratulated the policeman for his courageous act.

The Human Resources Management (R) Department issued a fresh order revoking GO Ms No. 57, dated September 21, which had exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department under sub-section (4) of Section 24 of the RTI Act.

“GO Ms.No.57 of Human Resources Management (R) Department dated 21st September, 2026, relating to exemption of the Public (Law and Order) Department under sub-section (4) of Section 24 of the RTI Act, 2005, stands revoked,” the government said.

The September 21 order had specified the Public (Law and Order) Department as an intelligence and security organisation established by the Tamil Nadu government, thereby bringing it within the exemption provided under Section 24 of the RTI Act.

The move had faced criticism, with questions being raised over the decision to classify the department as an intelligence and security organisation and keep it outside the ambit of the transparency law. CPM MP S Venkatesan was among those who opposed the exemption.

The Public (Law and Order) Department deals with sensitive matters relating to communal and caste clashes, political agitations and preventive detention under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) and the National Security Act (NSA).

It also handles representations from detainees and habeas corpus petitions before the High Court and the Supreme Court, besides examining police enquiry reports concerning custodial deaths, allegations of police torture and deaths of remand prisoners.

The department deals with references from the National Human Rights Commission, reports on law-and-order and communal incidents sent to the Centre, and replies to questions raised in Parliament.

It also processes matters relating to student and agricultural labourers’ agitations, requests for withdrawal of cases registered on political grounds and proposals seeking sanction for prosecution in cases involving articles, news reports and speeches.

With the latest order, the government has withdrawn the September 21 notification and ended the proposed exemption of the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act.

Vijay said Aditanar introduced a lively and accessible style of Tamil journalism and helped take newspaper reading to people across Tamil Nadu, including those in remote parts of the state. His efforts also played a pioneering role in creating political and social awareness, he said in a social media post.

Recalling Aditanar’s public service, Vijay noted that he had held several positions, including that of a Tamil Nadu Minister and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

As Speaker, he introduced the practice of beginning the Assembly’s proceedings each day with a Thirukkural.

Describing Aditanar as “Tamilar Thanthai”, Vijay said he had devoted his life to the advancement of the Tamil language and its people.

“On his birth anniversary, I remember and honour the immeasurable services rendered by Si Pa Aditanar to Tamil, the Tamil community and journalism,” Vijay said, adding that Aditanar’s legacy would remain etched in Tamil Nadu’s history.

The Human Resources Management Department issued the notification through a Government Order dated September 21, published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.

“The Governor of Tamil Nadu hereby specifies the Public (Law and Order) Department being an Intelligence and Security Organization established by the Government of Tamil Nadu for which the said Act shall not apply,” the order said.

The department handles several sensitive law-and-order matters, including communal and caste clashes, political agitations and preventive detention cases under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) and the National Security Act (NSA).

According to the gazette, it also deals with representations by detainees and habeas corpus petitions before the High Court and Supreme Court, besides conducting monthly law-and-order review meetings and special meetings as directed by the Chief Secretary.

Its responsibilities include examining police enquiry reports into deaths in custody, police torture and deaths of remand prisoners, besides dealing with references from the National Human Rights Commission.

The department also handles reports on law-and-order and communal incidents sent to the Centre, replies to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha questions, agitations by students and agricultural labourers, and requests for withdrawal of cases registered on political grounds.

It also deals with proposals for sanction of prosecution in matters involving defamatory articles, news reports and speeches.

The notification places the department outside the RTI Act, subject to the provisions of Section 24.

In a statement, Anbumani said private milk companies had raised the price of 3% fat blue-pack milk from Rs 31 to Rs 32 per 500 ml, while 4.5% fat green-pack milk increased from Rs 35 to Rs 37. The price of 6% fat orange pack milk was also hiked from Rs 40 to Rs 42 per 500 ml.

He said private milk prices had been increased three times since February and alleged that the repeated hikes were placing an additional burden on poor and middle-class families.

Comparing prices, Anbumani said Aavin’s 3% fat milk was sold at Rs 40 per litre, compared with Rs 64 charged by private companies.

Similarly, Aavin’s green-pack milk costs Rs 44 per litre, while private brands charge Rs 74 per litre. The orange pack variant is priced at Rs 60 with Aavin, compared to Rs 84 charged by private companies.

In a message marking the first anniversary of the September 27, 2025 stampede tragedy, Vijay said the day remained one of the most painful in his life and in the lives of the people of Karur.

"Last year, on this very day, September 27, 2025, a painful incident occurred that remains an unhealed wound in my lifetime, in the lives of our Karur brethren and in the hearts of our Tamil Nadu family," he said in a social media post.

Vijay said the tragedy had left him, the people of Karur and TVK members carrying an indescribable sense of grief over the loss of their loved ones.

He called for solidarity with the bereaved, saying those mourning their loved ones should support and comfort one another and remain a source of strength in their time of grief. "We will be our own source of solace, support and strength," Vijay said.

Paying tribute to those who died, he said their memories would remain alive in the hearts of their loved ones. "My heartfelt homage to all those who live on in our memories," he said.

The Karur stampede occurred during a TVK rally at Velusamypuram on September 27, 2025. The tragedy claimed 42 lives and left more than 100 people injured.

In a counter-affidavit filed before the Pocso Special Court, the Anti-Vice Squad said the electronic devices seized from the accused were yet to be subjected to forensic examination. The police also said the identities of the minor girls allegedly involved in the case were yet to be established.

The case came to light in October 2025 after a pen drive containing a video clip purportedly showing an elderly man sexually assaulting a minor girl was sent to the Intelligence and Technology Police Unit (ITPU), according to the police.

The police identified the man in the video as Veeramani. The Central Crime Branch's Anti-Vice Squad registered a case on October 7, 2025, based on a complaint lodged by a social activist. The case was subsequently transferred to the ITPU.

The ITPU arrested Veeramani, Mahendra Simhan and Shanthi on August 29 under the provisions of the Pocso Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act in connection with the alleged sexual assault of minor girls.

Opposing the bail pleas, the police apprehended that the release of Shanthi and Mahendra Simhan could enable them to influence witnesses or threaten the minor girls and their families. There was also a possibility of their fleeing abroad, the police said while seeking the dismissal of the bail petitions.

The bail pleas will be heard again by the Pocso Special Court on September 29.

“As per the facts disclosed, the date of occurrence is November 27, 2020, as per the FIR dated December 27, 2020 and the charge sheet. This is a clear abuse of power by the police, which was endorsed by the Judicial Magistrate, as per the records,” said Justice P Murugan.

The court also directed the investigating officer M Perarasi to appear in person on September 29 and explain why the charge sheet was not filed within the prescribed time.

The court issued this direction while hearing a petition seeking to quash the false FIR filed against the petitioner in connection with a narcotic drugs case in 2020.

The learned counsel for the petitioner referred to the charge sheet and submitted that the accused has been charged under Section 8(c) and 20(b)(ii)(A) of the NDPS Act, 1985. The maximum punishment prescribed in the said provision is one year. “If that is so, the case ought to have been taken on file within a year from the date of registration of the FIR, i.e., before 27.12.2021. However, as of 2024, no FIR had been received by the Magistrate Court, as recorded by this court in this present petition,” observed the HC.

Though the government advocate submitted that, as per the instructions received from the police, the FIR and the charge sheet were filed on the same date, 27.12.2020. However, as per the endorsement made by the magistrate in the copy application, no FIR had been received by the Magistrate Court, the judge observed.

“In the latter part, the police might have sent the charge sheet and the magistrate thereafter taken the case only in the year 2026, in STC no 2008 of 2026. Therefore, at all levels, there is a non-application of mind, both on the part of the magistrate and the investigating officer. The magistrate is required to apply his mind before taking any cognisance as to whether the case is within the period of limitation,” said the Court.

The court issued the above directions and stayed the further proceedings until further orders.

Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan passed the order on a petition filed by Mansoor Ali Khan seeking to quash the case registered by the Vadapalani police.

The actor had made the remarks while speaking to the media outside a private hospital in Vadapalani, where actor Vivekh was undergoing treatment. He had questioned the contents of the COVID-19 vaccine, alleged that the Health Secretary was misleading the public and opposed making vaccination and wearing masks compulsory.

Based on a complaint lodged by a Chennai Corporation health officer, Vadapalani police had registered the case under Sections 153, 270 and 505(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code, besides provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act and Disaster Management Act.

Mansoor Ali Khan subsequently moved the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR. The court has now allowed his plea and quashed the case.

In a joint statement, the parties cited a newspaper investigation and alleged that Kumar had disregarded the views and objections of the other two Election Commissioners when making key decisions.

They said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded their opposition to the CEC’s actions in writing on at least 14 occasions over the past 10 months. The two Commissioners had also raised concerns with the Cabinet Secretary over changes relating to electoral rolls, including Form 6 and the centralisation of electoral roll software, the parties claimed.

The Left parties alleged that the objections were ignored and that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls proceeded, resulting in the deletion of over 13 crore names from draft rolls in various States and Union Territories.

They also criticised the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, alleging that changes to the selection process had weakened the ECI’s independence.

Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s immediate removal and legal action against him, the parties said the ECI’s primary responsibility was to protect the voting rights of eligible citizens and ensure free and fair elections.

The demonstrations will be held at district headquarters across the State on October 1.

Speaking at a water management conference organised by the Thanjavur district administration to create awareness among farmers about El Niño, environmental activist and Delta Weatherman Hemachander said Tamil Nadu could experience the impact of the Super El Niño in November.

He said the weather phenomenon, reported to occur after about 150 years, could cause drought in 70 per cent of the world's regions and heavy rainfall in the remaining 30 per cent. Its impact had also contributed to poor rainfall during the southwest monsoon in India, while high temperatures continued in Tamil Nadu even in September, he said.

According to Hemachander, the hot weather could continue until October 15, with the State receiving below-normal rainfall and only mild showers, mainly at night. The prolonged heat could further deplete groundwater levels, he cautioned.

However, Tamil Nadu could receive heavy rainfall for two months, from October 20 to December 20, he said, advising farmers to plan their cultivation based on the weather conditions.

He urged farmers to obtain timely information from officials before taking up agricultural activities to avoid heavy losses.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam said the move was part of the TVK government’s alleged push towards privatisation of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and now consumption metering. He said the Electricity Board’s explanation of a staff shortage was unacceptable, given that 5,000 of the 6,591 sanctioned meter-reading posts were vacant. He also pointed out that no recruitment had been made to the posts in 13 years.

Shanmugam warned that inadequately trained contract workers could make errors in meter readings, resulting in overbilling and hardship for consumers. He urged the government to fill all vacancies through permanent recruitment, saying contractual appointments would undermine reservation and social justice.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said outsourcing could lead to tariff-related irregularities and should not be justified by citing a staff shortage, especially when lakhs of unemployed youth are waiting for government jobs. He demanded that meter-reader vacancies be filled through regular recruitment.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss questioned whether abolishing permanent posts and appointing contract workers could be considered an act of social justice. He urged the government to reconsider the decision and fill vacancies with permanent employees.

AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran also demanded withdrawal of the proposal. Referring to the TVK’s promise to regularise contract workers with five years or more of service, he questioned whether the increased reliance on private agencies indicated a move to hand over public services to private players. He called for permanent recruitment to all vacant posts in the Electricity Board.

As a tradition, the water from Singa Muga Kinaru, located on the temple premises at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, has been used for abhishekams for Bragadeeshwarar in the mornings and evenings.

The well had dried up due to drought conditions in recent days. Following this, the temple priest Thyagarajan had fetched water from the nearby water source maintained by the ASI. However, on Saturday, the priest could not fetch water from the nearby source.

Eventually, the Pournami abhishekam scheduled in the evening was delayed. While the devotees were waiting, the priest managed to fetch a limited quantity of water from the neighbourhood and performed rituals.

“Usually, the Pournami abhishekam is held with 14 varieties of perfumes. Because the HR&CE department had stopped the funds, the abhishekam was performed only with water, milk and curd. We have been repeatedly requesting the department to allocate funds for the rituals, but often it goes unheard," said the Thiyarajan Gurukkal.

He also said that the department is yet to release the salary of Rs 6,000 per month for the past four months.

In its final tariff subsidy order issued on September 24, TNERC said the actual subsidy requirement for the year was Rs 16,795.81 crore, against the provisional subsidy of Rs 17,052.14 crore. The difference resulted in an excess subsidy of Rs 256.33 crore.

The domestic category accounted for the bulk of the excess, with Rs 202.99 crore paid over the actual requirement. Other major excesses included Rs 34.07 crore under LT III B industries' ToD charges, Rs 30.61 crore for agricultural consumers under the special free supply category and Rs 14.33 crore for powerloom consumers.

However, TNERC found an additional Rs 29.49 crore payable to TNPDCL for categories where actual subsidy exceeded the provisional amount. This included Rs 10.05 crore for common supply and Rs 8.85 crore for lift irrigation.

Quarter-wise, the excess subsidy stood at Rs 36.08 crore in the first quarter, Rs 3.89 crore in the second, Rs 54.63 crore in the third and Rs 161.73 crore in the fourth quarter.

The commission also identified an additional Rs 3.47 crore subsidy requirement due to wrong classification of automatic meter reading units in the first quarter. After accounting for this, the excess subsidy to be adjusted in the second quarter of 2026-27 was fixed at Rs 252.86 crore.

TNERC directed TNPDCL and the government to adjust it in the second quarter of 2026-27.

“Ayya (addressing the City Police Commissioner), if I die, Inspector Alagar and SI Balamurugam will be responsible for my death. They are subjecting me to severe harassment, which has forced me to contemplate suicide. I have been serving in the department for 25 years,” Head Constable Joel Thangaraj said in the audio message.

The audio message, in which Joel Thangaraj made serious allegations against the two police personnel and expressed suicidal thoughts, has been spreading rapidly on social media for the past two days.

The audio message was brought to the notice of the City Police Commissioner. He initiated disciplinary action against Joel Thangaraj on September 24 for posting the audio message in the police group and causing it to circulate on social media without approaching his superior officers. The Commissioner also appointed an Assistant Commissioner of Police to inquire into the allegations made by Joel against the two police personnel.

Joel, a head constable attached to the Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital police station, joined the police force in 2002 and has been serving for around 25 years, a police source said.

In the audio, Joel alleged that he had been facing a heavy workload for the past 35 days and that Inspector Alagar had been subjecting him to severe harassment. He said this had caused him considerable mental distress.

Joel also claimed that he had met the Commissioner and sought a transfer to the Palayamkottai police station. He made an emotional appeal to the Police Commissioner to take steps to help him continue living.

Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call --- Sneha, Chennai: 91-44-2464 0050, 91-44-2464 0060; Maithri, Cochin: +91 239 6272; Sumaitri, New Delhi: 2338 9090; Aasra, Mumbai: 9820466726; Fortis MentalHealth: 8376804102.

Addressing reporters at Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district, Palaniswami said the case against Veeramani was registered when the DMK was in power and claimed the TVK government had no role in his arrest.

According to Palaniswami, police had informed the Poso Special Court that they could not identify sufficient evidence in the case and sought its closure. However, the judge rejected the request and ordered further action, following which Veeramani was arrested, he said.

"The arrest was based on the court's order and not because of any action taken by the TVK government," Palaniswami said, alleging that the government was attempting to project the arrest as its own achievement.

Criticising Vijay's campaign speech, Palaniswami said, "During his election campaign speech, Vijay gave misinformation about the GEM Veeramani case for political gain. Once he acted in cinema; now he has started acting in real life too."

Palaniswami also alleged that 250 murder cases and 300 sexual harassment cases had been registered since the TVK government assumed office. He questioned what the Chief Minister would tell victims, including minor girls who had faced sexual abuse.

Palaniswami also played a video clip of Vijay's campaign in which he announced the TVK candidate for the Edappadi constituency.

He said the video contradicted Minister Aadhav Arjuna's allegation that Palaniswami had attempted to buy the TVK candidate, and described the allegation as false.

He also displayed a photograph of Veeramani sharing the stage with TVK Minister Logesh Tamilselvan and Venkatramanan at a private event. Palaniswami said Tamilselvan had described Veeramani as a family friend and questioned whether that relationship had delayed the case for more than three months.

Palaniswami reiterated that Veeramani's arrest followed a court order and was not the result of action by the TVK government.

The post said the event was powered by three generators and mid-way, the generator supplying the light and sound systems developed a technical problem, and the supply automatically switched to a standby generator, it said. The interruption, which occurred when a Madras High Court judge was addressing the graduation ceremony at Government Law College, caused a brief commotion.

The deleted post had attributed the outage to a jumper cut in the 110 KV Alagarkoil-Pasumalai feeder at the Ottakadai substation and had assured repair was under way. The revised statement, however, made no reference to the feeder fault.

The clarification came amid another report of power interruption at an event attended by ministers in Tiruppur on Saturday.

At a meeting with farmers on the Uppar dam at Periyakomarapalayam in Dharapuram, power reportedly went off when TVK deputy general secretary Udumalai Radhakrishnan was speaking, after ministers Arunraj and Sengottaiyan and former minister Vijayabaskar had addressed the gathering.

The TNPDCL later said a power interruption had occurred around 2.23 pm on the Periyakomarapalayam 22 KV Manurpallayam feeder fed by the Poolavadi substation under Udumalpet EDC.

After a review meeting, the School Education department instructed Chief Educational Officers and other department officials to ensure that school heads and teachers take immediate action on safety concerns and continuously monitor school premises.

The department has also ordered regular inspections of compound walls, classrooms, toilets, roofs, overhead tanks and other structures. It also instructed schools to cordon off damaged buildings and unsafe areas, and report structures requiring demolition to the district administration.

The department has urged all schools to seal open wells and septic tanks in and around school premises. Also, necessary renovation of roofs must be taken along with monitoring the electrical connection in the school, the department directed.

Schools have been directed to strictly prohibit corporal punishment, bullying, ragging and all forms of physical or mental harassment. The department insisted on identification of vulnerable students and providing them appropriate support.

Officials have also been asked to create awareness among students about the School Education helpline 14417, Child Helpline 1098 and Tele-MANAS mental health helpline 14416. These numbers must be prominently displayed on school notice boards, at entrances and other accessible locations.

Fire extinguishers, emergency exits and evacuation routes must be regularly inspected, and periodic emergency drills must be conducted. School buses and vans must meet safety requirements, while playgrounds, sports equipment and laboratories should undergo regular inspections.

The guidelines also stressed hygienic food preparation, safe food storage, and proper inspection of kitchen facilities, LPG and electrical connections.

Poor rainfall and Karnataka's failure to release water for Delta irrigation affected paddy cultivation in the region. The neighbouring states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, also saw a decline in cultivation, leading to reduced arrivals and a sharp rise in rice prices.

Ponni rice, a popular fine variety in Tamil Nadu, is now priced at Rs 78 per kg, up from Rs 65 a month ago. The local Mannachanallur Ponni variety is being sold at Rs 68 per kg, against Rs 60 previously. A premium variety of Ponni has risen to Rs 82 from Rs 65, while IR-20 is being sold at Rs 60 per kg, compared with Rs 50 last month.

Traders said prices had been revised three times in the past 50 days.

“For the first time, rice prices have risen so sharply, and we fear they may increase further. Raw rice, which was sold at Rs 45 per kg, is now priced at Rs 68 due to the decline in arrivals from neighbouring States,” said V Narayanan, proprietor of Sri Abhirami Traders in Tiruchy.

Narayanan said losses in the kuruvai crop could push prices higher, as neighbouring States were facing a similar situation.

However, M Sivanandan, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners Association, said the situation could stabilise as paddy arrivals were expected to improve in the coming months.

“Due to the poor harvest in April, paddy arrivals from neighbouring states declined. We procured paddy at Rs 44 per kg from other states, compared with Rs 32 per kg during the previous season. Fine variety Ponni is currently being sold at around Rs 75 per kg in the wholesale market. Prices have stabilised and may not rise further if paddy arrivals improve,” Sivanandan said.

He said fine variety Ponni was widely preferred by consumers in Tamil Nadu, while its cultivation was limited in the State, making the market dependent on supplies from neighbouring States.

He urged the State government to encourage farmers to cultivate fine paddy varieties suited to local consumption, which, he said, could help stabilise rice prices.

“Whenever the Intelligence wing got information about any incident in the State, no matter how minor, they definitely brought that to the knowledge of then chief minister MK Stalin, who also held the Home portfolio,” the minister said, questioning how then could the DMK leader remain silent despite knowing about this incident.

“As the DMK is overreacting to the case, something must be wrong. We need to examine why they are overreacting,” he said, adding that several criminal cases reported during the previous DMK regime had been suppressed.

Former Law minister Raghupathi had also dismissed the matter, stating that the video in question was not clear, Nirmal Kumar said.

In a crime of such serious nature, involving the allegations of sexual exploitation of children, the police would normally have formed a special team to investigate it. However, in this case, the police filed a closure report in 2024, citing insufficient evidence, and they reopened the case later, claiming they had received an anonymous complaint and registered an FIR in 2025.

However, this was done only to facilitate negotiations and extort crores of rupees from the accused through extrajudicial settlements, Nirmal Kumar alleged.

“It is impossible that such massive extortion attempts and extra-judicial settlements took place without the knowledge of Intelligence officers,” the minister claimed.

He alleged that attempts had been made to protect Veeramani and that several persons threatened and extorted money from him, he said.

Nirmal Kumar further said that a transparent probe would be conducted under the direct supervision of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

“The investigation will be absolutely impartial. Every individual involved, from those who attempted to shield the accused, profited from extortion and to those who suppressed evidence, will face strict legal action,” he added.

Awareness programmes are being intensified through community drives, house-to-house inspections, and health camps across the State. As part of a dengue awareness event in Tiruchy, Aneesh Sekhar visited a few wards in the city accompanied by the Commissioner N Ponmani.

The Director inspected the households in Wards 52 and 65 and monitored the process of elimination of mosquito breeding sources and fogging activities. During the inspection, he appealed to the residents not to store water in the open, and to remove the empty pots and discarded tyres which facilitate breeding of mosquitoes.

Aneesh further urged the residents to take part in the dengue prevention activities initiated by the civic administrations and undertake treatment if they have any symptoms of fever. Advising the residents to stay away from self-medication, he stressed timely treatment from the Urban Primary Health Centres and government hospitals to prevent the disease in the early stage.

District Health Officer Dr Manivannan and City Health Officer Dr Karthikeyan and others accompanied Aneesh Sekhar during the inspection.

The workers, employed across 383 operational Amma Canteens, are planning to submit a charter of demands to District Collector S Malathi Helen next week. Chennai Pothu Thozhilalar Sangam (CPTS), affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), is spearheading the demand.

A cook at an Amma Canteen in Kodambakkam zone, who has been working there since 2013, said the daily wage of Rs 325 had become inadequate amid rising prices. "I get Rs 9,000 in hand every month. The growing inflation and rise in grocery prices have forced me to take up part-time work to make ends meet," she said.

She also pointed to the shortage of supervisory staff. "There is no supervisor to coordinate and oversee the work. I know billing, but I do not know how to write and manage it with the skills I have," she said.

Another worker at the Amma Canteen on Jenis Road in Kodambakkam zone said several basic facilities required attention, including replacement of the grinder and stove, installation of an RO plant and repair of two existing fans besides providing two additional fans.

A regular customer, A Raja, said there were complaints about inadequate ventilation and food availability. "Chapatis are sold out by 6.30 pm. If we come after 7 pm, food is not available. I have written in the complaint book seeking an increase in the number of chapatis prepared," he said.

CPTS general secretary R Loganathan said the union submitted a representation to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner in July seeking wage revision based on the Minimum Wages Act and court judgments

"Of the 407 Amma Canteens in the city, 383 are currently functioning. More than 2,000 women workers have been performing cooking duties for the past 13 years. While the corporation is focusing on renovating the canteens, there has been no corresponding effort to increase the wages of the workers," he said.

The union has sought implementation of the District Collector's 2026 minimum daily wage of Rs 844 for cooking staff. It has also argued that failure to revise wages for 13 years is contrary to Section 3(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, which provides for periodic revision of minimum wages.

As part of the protest, workers at Amma Canteens across Chennai wore black attire to work on Friday.

A Health Department official said the corporation had received the workers' charter of demands and was examining it. "The GCC will take steps to implement it," the official said.