Speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to former Chief Minister K Kamaraj on his birth anniversary, DMK Organising Secretary R S Bharathi said the party would primarily focus its political attacks on the TVK.

Appealing to the media, Bharathi said reporters should direct their questions only to the ruling party.

"Our principal political opponent is now the TVK. Please ask us questions only about the TVK and not about other political parties," he said.

Recalling the party's strategy during the recently concluded Assembly elections, Bharathi said the DMK had focused its campaign on the AIADMK, while a stronger political challenger had emerged elsewhere.

"During the Assembly election, we were attacking a dead snake. Meanwhile, a poisonous snake entered the field, " he remarked.

Bharathi described the AIADMK as the "dead snake" and the ruling TVK as the "poisonous snake, " indicating that the DMK would now concentrate its political campaign against the ruling party.

"The situation should not be repeated. Our only principal political opponent is the TVK. Please ask questions only about that party," he added.

During the Assembly election campaign, several DMK leaders, including Bharathi, largely downplayed the TVK and often declined to respond to questions about the party. However, after the TVK emerged as the ruling party following the election, the DMK has shifted its political focus and begun targeting the government more aggressively, with Bharathi now declaring the TVK as the party's principal political opponent.

The deceased, Kavitha (36), was admitted to a private hospital after her husband, Sathosh Kumar alias Moorthy (40), a resident of Theeran Nagar and a worker at a shop at Milaguparai, attacked her with a sharp weapon following a quarrel on Tuesday evening. It is said that the couple quarrelled over lunch preparation earlier in the day.

Kavitha is said to have sustained serious injuries in the attack. After attacking her, Moorthy informed Kavitha's mother, who admitted her to a private hospital in Woraiyur, where she was undergoing treatment for cut injuries in her abdomen.

In such a backdrop, on Tuesday late hours when Kavitha's mother was away, Moorthy went to the hospital, picked up a quarrel with his wife again and stabbed her multiple times with a knife. She died on the spot.

The hospital staff passed on the information to the Woraiyur police, who retrieved the body and sent it to the GH. The police also registered a case and conducted an inquiry with the hospital staff. Late in the night, the police arrested Moorthy.

Exporters, however, say rising fish prices and supply shortages are making it difficult to meet the growing demand.

A thriving industry

Thoothukudi, known for its port and fishing industry, has emerged as one of the state's major dried fish production centres. The city's port, airport, railway station and road connectivity have supported the growth of the industry.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, with hot and dry weather prevailing for most months of the year, the region provides ideal conditions for drying fish, allowing production to continue on a large scale.

Production process

After the annual fishing ban ends, mechanised boats return to sea, bringing in large quantities of fish. Popular varieties such as anchovy (nethili), sardine (saalai), seer fish (seela) and trevally (paarai) are selected for dried fish production.

The fish are cleaned, salted and left to soak for several hours or up to a day. They are then spread out on clean drying yards and left under the sun for several days until the moisture is completely removed. The finished products are quality checked before being packed for sale and export.

Fishermen said the industry provides employment to thousands of people involved in processing, drying, packing and marketing.

Exports to several countries

Workers are currently busy sorting, cleaning, salting and sun-drying fish to meet export demand.

Dried fish from Tuticorin is exported mainly to Sri Lanka. It is also shipped in large quantities to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, where it is popular among consumers.

Fish shortage drives concerns for exporters

Joseph Cascarino, a dried fish exporter from Thoothukudi, said dried anchovy and maasi karuvadu account for a major share of exports.

He said overseas demand remains high, but producers are unable to increase output because of limited availability of fish.

According to him, after the fishing ban ended, fresh fish demand within Tamil Nadu increased sharply, while traders from Kerala continue to buy large quantities of bigger fish for export. This has reduced the supply of fish needed for dried fish production.

Prices climb sharply

The shortage has pushed up production costs and market prices. A kilogram of dried anchovy, which earlier sold for Rs 150 to Rs 230, is now priced at around Rs 410.

Similarly, maasi karuvadu is currently sold at Rs 450 to Rs 550 per kilogram.

Exporters said around four to five containers of dried fish are shipped from Tuticorin every month.

The Government Higher Secondary School in Mallal village is run by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, and the injured student, Sanjay Prasad (17), is differently abled and the son of Rajangam (45), a mason from Niranjan village near Kalaiyarkoil.

According to the police, Sanjay had just entered his classroom when two students allegedly attacked him with a knife. Sanjay sustained stab injuries and collapsed in a pool of blood. The incident caused panic among other students, who rushed out of the classroom.

Teachers immediately shifted Sanjay to the Sivaganga Government Medical College Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

According to Rajangam, around 10 days ago, there was a squabble between students at the school, and Sanjay was accused of assaulting another student during the quarrel. Following the incident, he had kept his son away from school for about a week. Sanjay has started going to the class only on Monday, he said.

Rajangam noted that he would drop his son off at the school every morning and pick him up in the evening.

On Wednesday morning, shortly after leaving for work, he received a call from the school watchman informing him that his son had been stabbed by some fellow students.

Asking how the attack could have taken place inside a classroom, Rajangam sought action against those responsible and demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident.

The SIPCOT police in Manamadurai have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances leading to the attack. The incident has raised concerns about student safety and security inside school premises.

The development is being seen as a significant shift within the party, as MLAs aligned with the Velumani and CVe Shanmugam faction had largely stayed away from the consultation meetings being held by Palaniswami after the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Palaniswami held review meetings with district office-bearers from Erode Suburban East, Erode Suburban West, Tiruvallur East and Tiruvallur West to assess the party's performance in the Assembly elections and discuss measures to strengthen the organisation.

The meeting in Erode was attended by MLA Hari Baskar, while Tiruttani MLA K Hari participated in the Tiruvallur review meeting. Both legislators were earlier considered close to the Velumani camp, making their presence noteworthy.

Party insiders said the participation of the two MLAs was being viewed as a positive signal for Palaniswami, suggesting that leaders previously aligned with the Velumani and CVe Shanmugam group have begun extending support to his leadership.

The latest development follows the participation of Pappireddipatti MLA Maragatham Vetrivel, who was also considered close to Velumani and CVe Shanmugam faction, in a similar district consultation meeting chaired by Palaniswami last week. Her attendance had also been interpreted as a sign of growing support for the AIADMK chief.

During Wednesday's meetings, Palaniswami directed district office-bearers to intensify preparations for the upcoming local body elections and work towards securing the party's victory. He urged functionaries to recommend only loyal and committed party workers for organisational responsibilities.

He also asked cadres not to be distracted by leaders who had left the party for personal interests and stressed the need to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level.

According to party sources, Palaniswami told functionaries that AIADMK must win the upcoming by-election whenever it is announced to reaffirm Erode as one of the party's strongholds.

Also, the high maximum temperature, combined with high humidity, is likely to cause discomfort with hot and humid weather prevailing over the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal till July 17.

According to RMC, on Wednesday, the maximum temperatures increased, hovering around 2-6 degrees Celsius above normal at most places in the State. It warned that heatwave conditions are likely to prevail today in Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal, Karur, Erode, Tiruchy, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, and Madurai districts.

On Wednesday, Vellore recorded the highest temperature with 41.6 degrees Celsius (106.9 degrees Fahrenheit), followed by Madurai Airport with 41.0 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit). In Chennai, Meenambakkam recorded 40.1degrees Celsius (104.2 degrees Fahrenheit) with Nungambakkam at 39.4 degrees Celsius (102.9 degrees Fahrenheit).

The intense heat is expected to persist in seven of these districts, including Virudhunagar, Sivaganga, Madurai, Dindigul, Karur, Namakkal and Erode on Friday (July 17). Meanwhile, coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal will experience highly uncomfortable, hot, and humid weather due to a combination of high temperatures and humidity levels till Friday.

In Chennai, the sky will remain partly cloudy, and the maximum temperature will rise to 39 degrees Celsius, while minimum will dip to 28 degrees Celsius today.

Relief from the dry spell is anticipated from July 17 as the RMC forecasts moderate rain alongside thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places over the Western Ghats districts, North Coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal, driven by prevailing lower tropospheric westerlies

Also, senior officer P Umanath, who was recently transferred from the post of chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, was given posting as the Industries Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce.

According to the order issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, V Arun Roy, Secretary to the Higher Education Department, has been appointed as the new chairman and managing director of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board in place of J Radhakrishnan, who has been appointed Director General of the Anna Institute of Management.

Kakarla Usha, who was recently appointed Secretary to the Public Department, has been transferred as the Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department Secretary in place of Supriya Sahu. The latter has been posted as Commissioner of Entrepreneurship Development. E Sundaravalli, Special Secretary to the Public Department, has been elevated as Secretary to the Public Department.

Additional Chief Secretary Pradeep Yadav has been transferred from IT and Digital Services Department to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department.

MSME Secretary Atul Anand has been posted as Information Technology Department Secretary, while Entrepreneurship Development Commissioner Dheeraj Kumar has been appointed as the new Higher Education Secretary.

Nirmal Raj, Director of Industries and Commerce, has been posted as Secretary to the Transport Department.

Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan, Commissioner of Disaster Management, has been appointed Transport Commissioner, while M Vallalar has been posted as Labour Commissioner.

Commissioner of Land Administration R Gajalakshmi has been appointed Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise. D Baskara Pandian, Director of Transport, has been transferred as Director of Museums.

In a statement, NPCIL said the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Common Services – Balance of Plant (BoP) package was awarded to Reliance Infrastructure Ltd in 2018 through a public tender process.

The corporation said the contract covers the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of common service facilities, which are conventional in nature and similar to those used in thermal power plants and other process industries. These facilities are not connected to nuclear safety or nuclear security systems, it said.

NPCIL explained that, as part of the public tendering process, it had provided indicative drawings and technical specifications to bidders. Based on these documents and project requirements, Reliance Infrastructure prepared detailed engineering drawings in consultation with the respective Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The designs were reviewed by NPCIL and accepted after ensuring compliance with technical specifications.

Responding to reports circulating in the media, NPCIL reiterated that the information allegedly available in the public domain pertains only to conventional Balance of Plant common service facilities. It stressed that no drawings, data or information related to nuclear safety or nuclear security systems had been compromised.

The issue pertains to a 1.4 acre land belonging to the Palani temple mutt registered to private individuals. While the market value of the land is said to be over Rs 100 crore, the land was registered for about Rs 2 crore.

On Wednesday, the Madurai Bench declared the registration of a 1.40-acre property worth Rs 100 crore belonging to the Palani mutt invalid to private individuals at a much lesser rate as invalid.

The accused, Vinoth Suryakumar had posted in social media that the land was registered to relatives of the minister. In a press meet earlier, the Minister said that he would initiate legal action against those who spread misinformation.

Police sources said that two others have also been booked for spreading misinformation.

The earthquake occurred at 7.52 pm IST at a depth of 10 km. According to the available data, the epicentre was located at coordinates 12.346°N and 77.936°E.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake is classified as a minor seismic event. Tremors may have been felt by residents in and around Krishnagiri, Hosur and adjoining parts of Karnataka. Such earthquakes generally do not cause structural damage, though they can be noticed by people living close to the epicentre.

The instructions, issued following the recommendations of the State Disaster Management Authority and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), are to be followed by all government and aided schools.

The circular advised schools to avoid conducting outdoor activities, including morning assemblies, physical education classes, sports events, and other programmes, during periods of intense heat; instead, shift such activities indoors or reschedule them to cooler hours of the day whenever possible.

Principals and teachers have been asked to educate students on the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Schools should ensure that students have uninterrupted access to safe drinking water and encourage them to drink water frequently.

Parents are also to be informed through WhatsApp groups and other communication channels about the need to provide adequate drinking water bottles and ensure that children wear light, comfortable clothing.

The department has further directed schools to closely monitor weather advisories issued by the IMD. In the event of an official declaration of an extreme heat wave, school authorities must strictly adhere to government instructions and implement all prescribed safety measures without delay. Also, with the guidance of the district administration, decisions on declaring leaves can be taken, added the circular.

The Directorate has emphasised that protecting students from heat-related health risks is the responsibility of every school administration and has instructed district education officials to ensure strict compliance with these guidelines across all schools in the state.

More than 10,000 tonnes of rice meant for distribution to the PDS outlets were stocked at the agriculture-regulated market godown owned by the Department of Agriculture Market and Agri Business at Budalur. Lack of proper maintenance has led to infestation in the stocks. The impact also posed health-related risks to the people residing close to the godown. in the past several days, many residents were injured and had undergone treatment.

“District administration and the officials concerned have already been alerted about the issue. We have also submitted petitions, but no action has so far been initiated," said Kannan, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association Secretary who led the protest in the presence of the CPM executive member Tamil Selvi.

The protesting resident raised slogans and urged the government to immediately remove the damaged rice and not to distribute it to the PDS outlets.

On information, the TNCSC officials visited the spot and held talks with the protesting residents and assured them of removing the damaged stocks from the godown.

Acting on specific intelligence about the presence of immigrants, police conducted coordinated searches in Onnalvadi, Gokul Nagar and Nallur Agraharam.

Those apprehended include 22 men, 23 women and 28 children. Police have launched an inquiry to verify their identities, establish the circumstances of their entry into Tamil Nadu, and trace the network that facilitated their arrival and stay in the state.

The Bangladeshi nationals are expected to be shifted to the transit camp in Salem for further legal and administrative proceedings.

Based on his complaint, the Singanallur police registered a case. A special team recently arrested Vairaperumal (26) from Karur and Punniyamoorthy (27) from Tiruchy. Police also arrested the prime accused, Karthik (43) of Kalapatti in Coimbatore, from a private lodge in Goa.

Police said Karthik has several criminal cases pending against him. Efforts are on to arrest three more suspects, including two from Tirunelveli and one from Tiruchi, who remain at large.

Saravanakumar (30) from Karumandapam in Tiruchy, his friends Vinoth (30) from Samathuvapuram and Ramesh (25) from Valanadu Kaikatti, working in a mess in Karumandapam, were proceeding to Dindigul on a bike on Wednesday morning.

When they tried to cross the road in the wrong direction, their bike hit a lorry bound for Tiruchy. Vinoth and Ramesh were crushed to death, while Saravanankumar sustained severe injuries.

On information, Cantonment police rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and sent them to the GH. Saravanankumar was also rushed to the GH. South Traffic Intelligence police registered a case and are investigating.

During a press briefing after meeting Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at the Secretariat, Shanmugam said the CPM had submitted a memorandum on issues including inam lands, implementation of the Forest Rights Act, renaming a village in Virudhunagar district, the Salem drinking water distribution contract, and the custodial death in Nagercoil.

Welcoming the government's recent order on inam lands, he urged the State to constitute a separate commission to resolve similar issues across Tamil Nadu. He also appealed to the government to move the Supreme Court against the eviction of forest dwellers and ensure full implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

On the alleged horse-trading of MLAs, he said, "Whoever indulges in horse-trading, it is condemnable. Whether it is the DMK, TVK or any other party, we do not accept it. MLAs elected by the people should not resign and switch parties within a few days."

Replying to a question on the local body elections, Shanmugam said the Left parties had not yet taken a decision on contesting alone or in alliance and that the issue would be discussed jointly before a final decision was taken.

CHENNAI: In a major joint initiative to crack down on drugs, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have decided to jointly intensify anti-narcotics operations along their shared border.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Wednesday that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has assured full support for coordinated enforcement, intelligence sharing, and awareness campaigns to curb drug trafficking.

After meeting the chief minister at the Secretariat, Chennithala said Vijay and him discussed the growing drug menace across southern states and the need for a united response.

He said Kerala had sought Tamil Nadu's cooperation in strengthening surveillance along border areas.

He also said ports, airports, and railway networks would remain under close watch as part of the coordinated strategy to curb drug trafficking across the two states.

The Kerala minister said he has invited Vijay to participate in a major anti-drug awareness programme in Kerala alongside actor Mohanlal, the State's anti-drug campaign ambassador.

Recalling that Mohanlal and Vijay had acted together in the film, ‘Jilla’, he expressed confidence that their joint participation would strengthen public awareness.

Pointing out that Chief Minister Vijay had already launched an anti-drug campaign in Tamil Nadu and reiterated his government's commitment to eliminating narcotics, Chennithala said that a recent meeting of Directors General of Police of southern states evolved a common strategy to combat drug mafia.

Highlighting Kerala's ongoing anti-drug campaign, Operation Toofan, Chennithala said the State had conducted the drive successfully for the past 43 days, during which more than 6,000 people were arrested, around 5,500 cases registered, and more than 100 accused put in jail. He added that the government has also attached properties of major drug offenders.

Responding to a question on ‘We the leaders’ founder K Annamalai's anti-drug campaign, Chennithala welcomed the initiative and said all political parties should unite in the fight against narcotics, describing it as a serious threat to the nation.

Speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to former Chief Minister K Kamaraj at his memorial house in Virudhunagar, Tagore said AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran had built the party through hard work, while former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had protected and strengthened it, including during periods when it enjoyed the support of the Congress.

"Today, Palaniswami has left the AIADMK shattered. If someone were to pursue a PhD on how to destroy a political party, Palaniswami would be a key character in that research," Tagore said.

He also launched the Congress' anti-corruption campaign, "Avoid Bribery, Hold Your Head High", and said it would be taken across Tamil Nadu through signature campaigns outside government offices as part of a mass outreach programme.

Responding to questions on factionalism within the Congress, Tagore said the party would continue engaging with its leaders and cadre.

"Congress is a democratic party. Differences will be resolved through dialogue, and we will continue to listen to the views of senior leaders with respect," he said.

Higher Education Minister Viswanathan, who accompanied Tagore, said the campaign was aimed at promoting corruption-free governance. He added that the Congress and the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government were committed to ensuring transparent administration in line with the ideals of Kamaraj.

The protest comes as the storage in the 90-foot-high dam has fallen to 50 feet following a deficit in the southwest monsoon. Despite poor inflows, the State ordered the release of water from July 15 to July 21, at a rate not exceeding 414 cubic feet per second, exclusively to meet the drinking water requirements of people in Tirupur.

Opposing the decision, the farmers said nearly 5,000 acres of sugarcane crop had already withered, while coconut plantations were under severe stress. They argued that releasing water under the present conditions would reduce the reservoir level to below 30 feet, making it impossible to supply water for irrigation.

They also pointed out that water had already been released on June 19 for the Dharapuram Drinking Water Scheme and contended that the reservoir should not be tapped again for drinking water.

Following nearly three hours of protest, officials from the revenue and water resources departments assured the farmers that water would not be released from the dam immediately and that their demands would be considered. The farmers then called off the agitation.

The Amaravathi Dam irrigates 54,637 acres of farmland across Tirupur and Karur districts, including 29,387 acres under the old ayacut system and 25,250 acres under the new ayacut system.

CHENNAI: Alleging that two civil works tenders worth Rs 42.58 lakh floated by the Valliyoor panchayat union in Tirunelveli violated the State government's new contractor registration guidelines by restricting participation to contractors registered within the panchayat union itself, anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam has sought cancellation of the tender process, revision of the eligibility conditions, and a fresh tender notification.

In a representation to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N Anand, and officials, Arappor said the tender conditions contradict GO No 115 dated June 30 issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, and the government statement explaining the revised registration system.

The fourth condition in the tender notification restricts eligibility to contractors who are only registered within the panchayat union, which is against the GO that had replaced this earlier system with district-level registration through the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).

Under the new system, contractors registered with a DRDA concerned can bid for tenders floated by any procuring entity within that district, and are also permitted to participate in tenders in adjoining districts, even without a common state-wide registration system.

The organisation said the restrictive condition works against the goals of increasing competition and opening opportunities to new contractors. Limiting eligibility to a small pool cuts down competition and creates room for a winning bidder to be decided in advance, opening the door to favouritism and corruption, it argued.

The tenders were floated under the 2025-26 District Mineral Foundation (DMF) scheme, following administrative sanction from the Tirunelveli Collector's proceedings dated December 1, 2024, and May 11, 2026.

They cover construction of a compound wall around the Erukkandurai cremation ground (Rs 12.86 lakh) and strengthening of the road to the Keezhakulam cremation ground (Rs 29.72 lakh). Both were published on the State's e-procurement portal on July 8, with bids due to close on July 15.

The organisation has asked the government to halt the ongoing tender process, amend the eligibility conditions in line with the new order, issue a fresh notification, and ensure all tenders across Tamil Nadu comply with the Transparency in Tenders Act and the revised registration guidelines.

Speaking to reporters in Ariyalur, Thirumavalavan said the new TVK government has assured to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu and the Karnataka government might not build a dam in Mekedatu as that government will never destroy the sentiments of Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery water.

“The union government would never take a stand against the interests of Tamil Nadu on this issue,” Thiruma said.

Answering a query about the CPI’s participation in the government, Thirumavalavan said the VCK would welcome the decision if the CPI takes part in the cabinet of the TVK government. At the same time, Thiruma opposed the events of elected MLAs from AIADMK joining TVK and said that TVK has been luring the MLAs to join the party, and it is not healthy in a democracy, he said.

Thiruma also condemned the custodial death of remand prisoner Sabari Varman in Nagercoil prison and said that it is the duty of the judiciary, prison and police to ensure the safety of the inmates, and the state government should initiate stringent action against those who are involved in this, he said.

Meanwhile, Thiruma pointed out that the delimitation bill was opposed by all the opposition parties, particularly from southern states, when the bill was tabled in the Parliament, and this would continue. “The parties in the INDIA bloc, including DMK, would strongly oppose the bill as it is the duty of every opposition party to oppose delimiation”, Thiruma stressed.

In a statement, Anbumani said reports suggesting that Sabarinathan, a differently abled man from Eethankadu near Suchindram in Kanniyakumari district, was tortured to death by prison personnel were deeply shocking and disturbing.

Anbumani alleged that prison officials had assaulted Sabarinathan after he repeatedly questioned why he had been jailed despite claiming innocence. He further referred to allegations by the victim's family that Sabarinathan had died on Sunday night and that officials later staged events to make it appear that he was alive when taken to the hospital on Monday morning.

Claiming that both the police and prison departments had attempted to suppress the facts, Anbumani said an impartial investigation by the State police would not inspire confidence. Drawing parallels with the Sathankulam custodial deaths and the Madapuram Ajith Kumar case, both of which were transferred to the CBI, he demanded a similar probe into the Nagercoil incident.

He also urged the State government to ensure that bail is denied to the arrested prison officials until the investigation is completed, provide Rs 50 lakh compensation to the victim's family, and offer a government job to Sabarinathan's wife. Anbumani further called for an inquiry into the deaths of four persons who allegedly died in police custody in Tamil Nadu during the past two months.

CHENNAI: Former State minister V Senthilbalaji and his brother Ashok Kumar have written to the Triplicane Police in Chennai, asserting that they have neither absconded nor attempted to evade the law, while questioning the legal basis on which they have been asked to appear for inquiry.

The letter comes in the backdrop of an investigation linked to allegations of a conspiracy to destabilise the previous DMK government.

Earlier, the Madras High Court had granted the brothers anticipatory bail with a condition that they report to the Triplicane Police Station and cooperate with the investigation.

However, both failed to appear before the police as directed.

Explaining their decision, Senthilbalaji and Ashok Kumar stated that their names do not figure as accused in the FIR and argued that they cannot be compelled to appear for questioning merely on that basis.

They maintained that if the investigating agency intends to examine them, it must first issue a formal notice in accordance with the provisions of Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

In his communication, Senthilbalaji emphasised that he has not gone into hiding and remains available to cooperate with the investigation in accordance with the law.

He pointed out that he is an elected public representative as well as the head of several business establishments, making it clear that there has been no attempt on his part to evade legal proceedings.

The brothers have also sought specific safeguards ahead of appearing before the investigating officers. They requested that their appearance in connection with the present investigation should not be used as a pretext to arrest them in any other case.

They further sought assurance that appropriate medical facilities would be provided to them, if required, during the course of the inquiry.

The communication effectively sets out the conditions under which the brothers are willing to cooperate with the investigation, while insisting that all procedural safeguards guaranteed under law must be followed.

Police sources said the Triplicane Police are examining the contents of the letter and holding consultations on the next course of action.

Investigators are expected to take a legal view of the issues raised by the brothers, including their contention regarding the absence of their names in the FIR and their demand for a statutory notice before any appearance for questioning.

In a letter addressed to all District Collectors, Registrar of Cooperative Societies K Latha said beneficiaries holding Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards should complete their e-KYC verification through fair price shops.

Pointing out that the Union government had earlier fixed June 2026 as the deadline for completing the exercise, the Registrar urged District Collectors to treat the matter as a priority and accelerate the process.

Registrar of Cooperative Societies K Latha urged District Collectors to treat the matter as a priority and accelerate the process

The letter highlighted that biometric authentication for e-KYC registration has become difficult in some cases, particularly for manual labourers whose fingerprints have worn down due to the nature of their work. It also highlighted challenges in capturing biometric details of children below the age of five.

To improve coverage, the Registrar instructed District Collectors to organise special camps to facilitate e-KYC registration for Priority Household (PHH) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries.

Officials said the exercise is being carried out in view of the Union government's proposed amendments to the National Food Security Act. The e-KYC verification is expected to help ensure the effective implementation of the revised provisions of the National Food Security Act and enable the targeted delivery of food grains to eligible beneficiaries.

The department has asked district administrations to closely monitor the progress of the exercise and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries complete the e-KYC process at the earliest.

The Union government has warned States that failure to complete 100 per cent e-KYC verification could lead to disruption in Central subsidies and affect the allocation of rice and wheat under the NFSA.

Tamil Nadu has been carrying out the e-KYC verification drive through fair price shops since October 2023 and has now instructed district administrations to expedite the remaining verification by organising special camps.

According to the order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Sai Kumar will continue as Chief Secretary from September 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027.

The order has been communicated to the Additional Chief Secretary, Public Department.

The TVK-led government had sought the extension for Sai Kumar, a 1990-batch IAS officer, citing administrative requirements, including preparations for the ensuing Northeast monsoon and the State Budget session.

Sai Kumar was appointed as Chief Secretary by the Election Commission of India during the Assembly elections, replacing N Muruganandam, who was transferred as Commissioner of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management.

During his career, Sai Kumar had held several key positions in the State administration. He had served as District Collector of Dharmapuri and Virudhunagar, Secretary to the Public Works Department, and Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).

During the AIADMK regime, he also served as Secretary-I in the Chief Minister's Office under then Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

With the Centre approving the extension, Sai Kumar will continue to head the State bureaucracy for another six months, overseeing key administrative priorities of the Tamil Nadu government.

"Remembering Thiru K Kamaraj ji on his birth anniversary. A stalwart of India's freedom movement and an exceptional public figure, he dedicated his life to nation-building. His unwavering commitment to areas like education, inclusive development and the welfare of the underprivileged continues to guide generations," the PM said on his social media platform.

In his message, Arlekar said, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great leader Kamaraj, I pay my respectful tribute to the visionary leader who brought about the greatest transformation in the educational development of Tamil Nadu."

"Pioneering initiatives like the midday meal scheme introduced by Kamaraj brought lakhs of children into schools and paved the way for even the most educationally backward communities to access learning," he said.

"The various reforms he undertook in school infrastructure and educational approaches laid a strong foundation for Tamil Nadu's progress and social equality," the governor added.

Marking the occasion, Vijay, accompanied by his cabinet ministers, garlanded Kamaraj's statue on Anna Salai here.

"On the birth anniversary of the great visionary, the partner of the poor, and the eminent leader Kamaraj, who established schools in every village of Tamil Nadu, opened the doors of education and introduced the midday meal scheme to alleviate the hunger of poor children, I pay tribute to his sacrifices and achievements," the chief minister said on his social media platform.

Beyond educational institutions, he built reservoirs and major industries, transforming the lives of the people of Tamil Nadu through agricultural and industrial development, he added.

Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, in his message, said the day marked the birth anniversary of the great leader Kamaraj, who toiled tirelessly for Tamil Nadu's development.

"He reopened over 6,000 schools that had been shut across Tamil Nadu and, through the midday meal scheme, free uniforms and textbooks, made immense contributions to education. His work on industrial development and the construction of dams brought about monumental infrastructural growth in Tamil Nadu as well," he said.

To mark Kamaraj's 124th birth anniversary, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee is organising a week-long series of events from July 13 to July 19.

Besides paying tributes to the glorious legacy of the great leader, an anti-corruption people's movement themed 'Shun Corruption, Stand Tall' (Lanjam Thavir, Nenjam Nimir) will be launched and carried forward during this period, TNCC president Manikam Tagore said.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, TMC president GK Vasan and former Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai also paid rich tributes to Kamaraj on the occasion.

According to police, the incident occurred at the Government Higher Secondary School in Mallal village. Officials said the two students had an argument inside a classroom last week, which reportedly escalated into a physical altercation. Teachers intervened, counselled both students and sent them back to class.

However, during the lunch break two students allegedly got into another argument on the school premises, which turned into a fight. During the altercation, one of the students is alleged to have taken out a knife that he had concealed and repeatedly stabbed the other student.

The injured student sustained multiple stab injuries to his back and waist. Teachers rushed to his aid and shifted him to the Sivaganga Government Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The accused student is also a Class 12 student, police said.

Party Chief G K Vasan will kick-start the celebrations at 6.00 pm in Kolapakkam in the city, where he is scheduled to address a public meeting and distribute welfare assistance on behalf of the party’s Alandur Assembly Constituency unit near the Kamaraj statue, a party release said.

On Wednesday, Vasan will pay floral tributes to the statue of the late leader, respectfully referred to as Kamarajar, situated near the Gymkhana Club near the Pallavan depot at around 9.30 am. Then, Vasan will go to Kamarajar’s residence-turned-memorial in Thirumalai Pillai Road in Thyagaraya Nagar and garland the late leader’s statue there at around 10 am.

A community feast will be hosted by the party’s South Chennai East District wing at Gandhi Road in Velacherry in the afternoon. The celebrations will culminate with an event facilitated by Pandiyanadu Nadar Sangam at Makkaram Garden, where welfare assistance will be distributed to the members of local communities, the statement added.

Globally, an average person lost nearly 56 hours of sleep each year due to nighttime heat between 2020 and 2025. That is equivalent to nearly seven nights' sleep lost each year due to higher nighttime temperatures, including about one night linked to climate change. The report pointed out that an estimated six hours of the annual sleep loss, or just more than 10 per cent, can be attributed to warming caused by climate change.

Although climate change accounted for a relatively-modest share of the total estimated heat-related sleep loss globally, its influence was substantially stronger in some regions and cities. The largest impacts were concentrated in places that have already experienced extremely warm nighttime temperatures.

The research has found that across all the 1,338 major global cities analysed, the amount of temperature-related sleep loss linked to climate change has at least doubled since the early 1970s.

"The analysis reveals how climate change is translating into measurable hours of lost sleep for people around the world. By combining the latest climate attribution science with research on how heat affects sleep, we can now quantify a hidden but growing consequence of rising temperatures," said Kristina Dahl, Climate Central's vice-president for science.

"Across more than 1,300 cities, climate change has at least doubled temperature-related sleep loss since the early 1970s, showing that the impacts of fossil fuel-driven warming extend beyond extreme weather to undermine one of the most fundamental requirements for human health," he added.

The analysis covered 107 Indian cities, with Tamil Nadu recording the highest climate change-driven sleep loss (7.9 additional hours per person annually).

Chennai (93 hours), Mumbai (84 hours) and Kolkata (80 hours) registered the highest overall sleep loss among major metros, while Bengaluru recorded the strongest climate change signal (eight hours per year).

In Maharashtra, the average annual sleep loss was 76.3 hours, including 5.8 hours linked to climate change. In Uttar Pradesh, residents lost 69 hours of sleep annually, with 4.9 hours attributable to climate change.

Rising night-time temperatures are emerging as a public-health threat, with poor sleep linked to cardiovascular disease, poorer mental health, weakened immunity and reduced productivity.

Courtney Howard, MD, Emergency Physician, Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, and President-Elect of the Canadian Medical Association, said, "Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Increases in nighttime temperatures harm human sleep, with a larger effect seen in residents from lower-income countries, older adults and in women."

"Sleeping less than seven hours per night is associated with impaired immune function and performance, and increased errors, pain and accidents. If poor sleep continues on a regular basis, it is associated with weight gain, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and increased risk of death," Howard said.

The report said as climate change drives more frequent and intense hot nights, sleep disruption should be recognised as a growing concern for both public health and human productivity.

The leader appeared for questioning after the Madras High Court directed him to appear before the anti-corruption agency while granting him interim relief in the case.

High Court directs him to appear

The DVAC had earlier registered a case against Velu over alleged irregularities that reportedly caused a loss of Rs 3.23 crore to the government during his tenure as the Highways minister.

He had initially been summoned to appear before the DVAC on July 3. However, Velu informed the authorities that he was in Singapore undergoing medical treatment.

Following his absence, the agency issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him as part of the ongoing investigation.

Questioning under way

Velu subsequently approached the Madras High Court seeking relief. The court granted him interim protection, subject to certain conditions, including that he appeared before the DVAC on July 15.

Complying with the High Court's order, the former minister appeared before the DVAC office in Alandur on Tuesday morning.

Officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption are currently questioning him regarding the allegations linked to the case, said a Daily Thanthi report.

The investigation pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the Highways Department amounting to Rs 3.23 crore. The agency is expected to examine documents and record Velu's statement as part of the inquiry.

New chief for DVAC

Even as the investigation was under way, the State government shunted out DVAC director ADGP A Arun in a surprise move on Monday (July 13). Arun was sent to head the Tamil Nadu Police Academy, a relatively insignificant post. Now the force is headed by Inspector General C Mageshwari, under whom the investigation will now proceed.

The video, whose authenticity has not been independently verified, purportedly shows NV Veera, president of the Mambakkam panchayat union, who is also TVK's Chengalpattu East district joint secretary, receiving Rs 30,000 in cash from a contractor. In the video, an individual is also heard saying that Rs 1 lakh had already been transferred. The footage appears to have been recorded covertly by the contractor.

Govt launches WhatsApp helpline

Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu government directed all government offices to prominently display anti-bribery awareness boards and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) WhatsApp helpline *94981 80936* to enable the public to report corruption.

The Chief Secretary instructed all government departments, district collectors, local bodies and public sector undertakings to display bilingual (Tamil and English) notice boards carrying the message, *"Bribe giving and receiving is an offence,"* along with the DVAC's contact details.

Departments have also been directed to display the anti-corruption message and a link to the DVAC portal on their official websites. Inspection Wings and Inspection Cells in district collectorates have been tasked with verifying compliance during inspections.

The circular reiterates a series of government orders issued since 2006 to strengthen vigilance and enhance public awareness against corruption.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the deceased, Kaviya, was a resident of Iraivankadu near Pallikonda. She was studying in Class 12 at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Poigai.

According to police, Kaviya had celebrated her birthday a day earlier by distributing sweets to her friends at various places. Later, she was allegedly reprimanded by her parents over the celebrations and stayed back at home the following day while the rest of the family had gone out.

Police said Kaviya was found dead when her family returned home. Pallikonda police sent her body to the Government Medical College Hospital in Adukkamparai for a post-mortem examination. Based on a complaint lodged by her father, a case has been registered and further investigation is under way.

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The deceased was identified as Vinayaga Jothi, while the injured woman, Varsha, has been admitted to hospital and is undergoing treatment.

Woman calls off wedding

According to the police, an alliance between Varsha and her relative, Yuvaraj, had been arranged a few months ago. The wedding was later called off because Varsha was unwilling to go through with it. Enraged by her decision, Yuvaraj allegedly nursed a grudge against the family.

Mother killed while trying to protect daughter

According to the report, Yuvaraja allegedly entered Varsha's house at Kalkurichi near Kariyapatti on Wednesday armed with a sickle and attacked her.

Hearing her daughter's cries, Vinayaga Jothi rushed to intervene and attempted to stop the assault. The accused allegedly turned on her and attacked her with the weapon. She sustained grievous injuries and died on the spot.

Varsha also suffered severe injuries in the attack before the accused fled the scene.

Neighbours alerted the police and rushed the injured woman to hospital, where she is receiving treatment.

Accused surrenders at police station

Following the attack, Yuvaraja reportedly surrendered before the Mallankinaru police station.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Officials are probing the circumstances that led to the attack and are recording statements from family members and witnesses.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the locality, with residents expressing grief over the killing and demanding strict action against the accused. Further investigation is under way.

Sabarivarman, 35, was arrested after gutka was allegedly seized from his shop and was remanded in judicial custody. Following his death in prison, his family claimed that he had sustained injuries all over his body and alleged that police assaulted him despite his disability.

An autopsy conducted in the presence of a district judge reportedly revealed 19 injuries on Sabarivarman's body. Following the findings, District Jail Chief Warden Jagan and prison staff Sivakumar and Thiruvidainambi were arrested.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Political leaders condemn Sabarivarman's death

The alleged custodial death has drawn condemnation from leaders across political parties. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, demanded action against those responsible and called for justice for Sabarivarman.

In a post on X, Udhayanidhi said the Chief Minister, who oversees the police department, must provide a befitting response to the incident. Referring to the police version, Udhayanidhi said the department had claimed that Sabarivarman was in good health at the time of his arrest and died after falling ill following the enquiry.

He alleged that the TVK government was applying "one law for ordinary citizens and another for ruling party functionaries", contrasting the custodial death with the release of a TVK functionary accused in a similar gutka smuggling case.

TVK functionary Arun, who was arrested in Erode in a gutka-related case, was released on station bail the very same day, but Sabarivarman is dead, he pointed out.

The Chief Secretary has instructed all government departments, district collectors, local bodies and public sector undertakings to prominently display bilingual (Tamil and English) notice boards carrying the slogan, "Bribe giving and receiving is an offence," along with the contact details of the DVAC. The instructions reiterate earlier government orders and call for strict compliance.

The government has also directed all departments to display the same anti-corruption message on their official websites, with a link to the DVAC portal. Heads of departments have been asked to issue similar instructions to boards, corporations, local bodies and public sector undertakings under their administrative control.

The notice boards will carry the DVAC's address, telephone numbers, WhatsApp number, fax number and email ID to enable the public to report corruption.

Further, the Inspection Wings and Inspection Cells in district collectorates have been directed to verify during inspections whether the anti-bribery notice boards have been installed and whether the government's instructions are being implemented properly.

The communication refers to a series of government orders issued since 2006, reaffirming the state's commitment to promoting vigilance and strengthening anti-corruption awareness across government offices and public institutions.

The issue garnered widespread attention after her relatives and the public attacked the ruling party functionary and handed him over to the police. According to the complaint, the TVK Krishnarayapuram East union secretary had allegedly been stalking the woman for the past two months.

She alleged that he would stand outside the medical store where she worked, make sexually suggestive gestures, follow her while she returned home, and repeatedly harass her with obscene remarks and gestures.

The woman told police that she had informed her family about the alleged harassment, following which her husband had been accompanying her to work and picking her up every day for the past two months.

As the woman was returning home after work, the TVK functionary allegedly intercepted her on the road and attempted to behave inappropriately with her, police said.

Addressing reporters on Tuesday, the minister said the government would undertake a detailed assessment of the stalled project over the next few weeks and take a final decision after examining all pending legal, technical and financial issues.

“The government’s objective is to revive the Uppur thermal power project. After a comprehensive study, we will present a clear report on the timeline, implementation plan and the steps to be taken,” he said.

He said all pending issues relating to the project would be reviewed and resolved as part of the exercise before the government announces its revival strategy.

The Rs 12,778-crore project envisages setting up two 800 MW supercritical thermal power units at Uppur in Ramanathapuram district. The Tangedco had spent Rs 2,283 crore when the power project was shelved in April 2021.

The project was suspended following an NGT (Southern Zone) order in March 2021. Citing the NGT order, land acquisition issues, litigation by local fishermen, and the pending Balance of Plant package, the Tangedco Board in April 2021 approved shifting the proposed 2x800 MW project to the Udangudi site as Stage III (in Thoothukudi), while treating Uppur as a fresh project after all legal issues were resolved.

Although Tangedco challenged the NGT order before the Supreme Court and obtained a stay in July 2021, the project remained in limbo. Subsequent reviews by a high-level committee and consultant Ernst & Young recommended developing the project at the original Uppur site.

However, the Tangedco Board sought further examination of the consultant’s findings, delaying a final decision.

In August 2024, SBI Capital Markets Ltd was appointed to prepare a detailed feasibility report to execute the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The report subsequently explored reviving the project through a joint venture with the National Thermal Power Corporation and NLC India Ltd. However, both public sector companies declined to participate, citing the high cost of power generation.

According to the Central Electricity Authority’s latest thermal project status report in April, the state government is now examining the possibility of utilising the high-value equipment already procured for Uppur in the proposed thermal power project in Thoothukudi district. Now, the minister said that the project is likely to be revived.

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While Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister Ramesh said the registration took place because the sub-registrar, who had recently assumed additional charge, was unaware of the land's disputed status, Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration D Logesh Tamilselvan said the official had informed him that the document was registered only after taking note of the Madras High Court's observations in the case.

The differing versions assume significance as the registration has triggered a political storm, with allegations that temple land, estimated by the government at Rs 120 crore, was registered in favour of private parties for about Rs 2 crore.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Secretariat, Ramesh rejected allegations that the purchaser was his relative, describing them as politically motivated and stating that he had lodged a police complaint against those making the claim.

He said the HR&CE Department had repeatedly written to the Registration Department instructing that the property should not be registered. According to him, an earlier attempt to register the land in March was declined by the Registration Department, following which the prospective purchasers approached the Madras High Court. The court, he said, observed that the registration could be considered if the documents were otherwise in order.

Ramesh further said the regular sub-registrar was on leave when the document was presented again and that the officer holding additional charge from July 6 was unaware of the previous correspondence between the two departments. As a result, the registration was completed, he said.

However, Logesh offered a different account, saying the sub-registrar had informed him that the registration was carried out after examining the High Court's directions. He acknowledged that a lapse had occurred, said the registration has since been kept in abeyance, and confirmed that the sub-registrar had been placed under suspension.

The minister added that action would also be initiated against any higher officials found responsible and that a higher-level inquiry would be ordered with the approval of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, if warranted.

Ramesh maintained that the government would take all necessary legal steps to restore the property and reiterated that the administration would not allow temple lands to be alienated in violation of the law.