CHENNAI: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami strongly condemned the midnight arrest of differently-abled persons, describing the police action as a "disgraceful and inhuman act.
Palaniswami alleged that while the protesters were engaged in a peaceful demonstration demanding an increase in their assistance allowances, police resorted to brutal force. He claimed that officers dragged the individuals through the streets and arrested them without any consideration for their physical conditions.
Specifically highlighting the case of union leader P Jansirani, the Opposition leader stated that she was seriously injured in the police assault and subsequently hospitalised. "The fact that even the wife of a leader from a DMK alliance party has not been spared shows the extent of the police brutality," Palaniswami said.
Calling the crackdown a display of "moral bankruptcy" rather than merely an administrative failure, Palaniswami asserted that the people of Tamil Nadu are witnessing "a regime that has no compassion and no conscience."
He demanded that the state government immediately withdraw all oppressive measures against the disabled community and ensure justice for those who were assaulted. His demands also included the provision of proper medical care for the injured and strict disciplinary action against the responsible officials.
In a direct warning to the ruling party, Palaniswami concluded, "The DMK must remember that power is temporary, but the people's verdict is final."
Meanwhile, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss termed the police action "inhuman" and accused the State government of attempting to suppress a legitimate democratic protest. He criticised the government's failure to hold talks with the protesters despite the protest continuing since February 10. He also accused the government of being indifferent to the welfare of the differently abled, pointing to the recent withdrawal of government orders that regularised temporary employees with disabilities.