Unaware of mourning, police building opened

The building was constructed at Kovilpatti four months ago and awaited official inauguration. In the meantime, owing to the hospitalisation of Jayalalithaa, the inauguration was put off. Following Jayalalithaa demise, a seven-day mourning was announced and officials were advised not to conduct any official function.  But on Sunday, the policemen in Kovilpatti inaugurated the new building without even informing higher district police officials.  Even the SBCID and Special Branch who directly report to the district Superintendent of Police did not inform him. 

The local police also conducted special pujas in the morning in contravention to the DGP’s order that religious ceremonies were prohibited in police stations. Local morning walkers who passed by the building located on the Ettayapuram Main Road noticed   pujas being performed on   the premises and informed the policemen at the station about the state being in mourning.  It was only then the policemen realised their mistake, closed down the station and left the place immediately. Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police Ashwin Kotnis told DTNext that action would be taken against the policemen for performing the puja.