VCK men hurled petrol bombs at PMK cadres, set them on fire in Ranipet village, says Anbumani & Ramadoss

CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr S Ramadoss has accused Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) cadre of launching a grievous petrol bomb attack on PMK members in Thirumalpur village, Nemili block, on January 16.

According to a report by Thanthi TV, Ramadoss stated that four PMK cadres from Nelvoy village were conversing at a playground in Thirumalpur when six individuals from the VCK, identified as Prem, Manikandan, Gopi, and Venkatesan from Thirumalpur, and Satish Kumar and Dasarathan from Keezhvenpakkam, approached them. The assailants reportedly used casteist slurs before threatening to set the PMK men on fire with petrol if they didn’t leave the area.

Ramadoss further alleged that the attackers then left only to return with petrol bombs, which they hurled at the PMK cadres. Tamilarasan and Vijayaganapathi were the primary victims of the attack, with the perpetrators surrounding them and setting them on fire. Both victims suffered severe burns and are currently being treated at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai, and are reportedly in a critical condition, the PMK founder said.

Two suspects, including Prem, have been arrested, while the remaining attackers are still at large, said Ramadoss while urging for immediate police action to apprehend all involved individuals.

The PMK leader also accused the VCK of fomenting caste-based hatred and linked the rising drug trade, particularly in Ranipet, to an increase in such violent incidents. Ramadoss claimed that similar attacks had occurred in the past, citing property looting in Nelvoy village.

Additionally, on January 16, PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss visited the two injured youths, and condemned the attack on them. He reiterated that the violence was not spontaneous but linked to the VCK, and also blamed the police for their slow response. Anbumani also expressed concern about rising violence across Tamil Nadu, which he attributed to the growing drug trade, especially cannabis (ganja).

Anbumani also called for direct intervention from the Chief Minister, accusing the authorities of ignoring the situation and failing to arrest repeat offenders, including Prem, a youth with a history of violent acts. He urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to take immediate action to address the lawlessness and ensure justice.

Thiruma denies VCK cadre role in petrol bomb attack

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Saturday categorically stated that his party was not involved in the petrol bomb attack on PMK men in Thirumalpur. Alleging that Ramadoss was attempting to create social unrest by linking the VCK with the incident, Thirumavalavan in a statement shared in his X (formerly Twitter) account said, "The violence in Nelvoy village has no connection to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. It is shocking that the founder and leader of PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) is attempting to create social unrest in northern districts by linking this incident to VCK."

The Chidambaram MP then urged the public to not believe the rumours being spread by the PMK against the VCK.