EPS participates in human-chain protest over drug menace in TN, questions CM’s silence over the issue

CHENNAI: Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday unleashed a scathying attack on the DMK regime for allegedly failing to curtail the sales of drugs and said the state has turned into a hotbed for drug trafficking under the present dispensation.

"Why is the CM silent over the issue," Palaniswami wondered while talking to the mediaperson after participating in the human chain protest at R A puram in Chennai. It was part of the state-wide protest of the party against the TN government for allegedly failing to prevent the sale of drugs in the state.

Reiterating that kingpin of international drug cartel Jaffer Sadiq funded the political activities of the DMK, Palaniswami, clad in black shirt, demanded the resignation of the CM and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi on moral grounds.

Presidium chairman of the party A Tamilmagan Hussain and former minister Gokula Indira have also participated in the protest along with Palaniswami and raised slogans against the present dispensation. Similar protests have been organised across the state, the protestors wore T-shirts with slogans 'Say No to Drugs, DMK' and held placards with slogans 'Save students, save Tamil Nadu people'. Senior leaders K P Munusamy, C Ve Shanmugam, S P Velumani, and P Thangamani also participated in human chain protest in their respective districts.

It may be recalled that a delegation headed by Palaniswami called on Governor R N Ravi on Sunday and submitted a memorandum, urging the constitution head of the state to direct an independent probe into the political links of Jaffer Sadiq, who was arrested by central agency in connection with seizure of crores of worth drugs in different parts of Tamil Nadu.

Tension prevailed in front of the Chengalpattu town police station on Tuesday when more than 100 AIADMK cadre attempted to lay siege to the building condemning police atrocity on cadre while pasting posters for the human chain protest.

The party members had put up posters across the district about the statewide human chain protest against drug menace. However, some police personnel banned them from doing so and tore the posters. Infuriated by this, the party cadre staged a protest in front of the police station and attempted to lay siege to it. Senior officials held talks with them and the protest was called off when the officials promised action against the cops who tore the posters.