Four OPS men held for damaging CM’s banners in Pudukai

Police, however, arrested four persons belonging to Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam faction on suspicion of involvement in the offence. Condemning the arrests, OPS supporters resorted to a road blockade and raised slogans against Palaniswami and Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar.

The Chief Minister has been scheduled to attend a wedding of Health Minister’s close aide and Gandharvakottai MLA P Arumugam’s son on August 27. Cadre have displayed several digital banners across the Pudukkottai town welcoming the Chief Minister.

But, they had dropped the portrait of Deputy Chief Minister Panneerselvam from the banners, which reportedly created a controversy among the latter’s supporters.

On Friday, the party functionaries found the banners torn in several places. Subsequently, supporters of Palaniswami, led by advocate Senthil, lodged a complaint with the Pudukkottai town police. The complainant had reportedly mentioned the names of four supporters of OPS identified as Suman, Bhagavathi, Selvam alias Kalluppattari Selvam and Vadivel. Based on the complaint, the police arrested all the four persons.

The arrest created a flutter among the supporters of OPS. More than 100 cadres gathered in front of the Town Police Station and demanded the release of the four arrested men. Soon, on information, supporters of EPS also reached the police station.

This prompted a heated argument between the two groups. Police tried to pacify them, but in vain.

Suddenly, a group of cadre from the OPS camp blocked vehicular movement on the busy road demanding the release of their fellow cadre. Police pacified them and told them to disperse. However, the arrested men were not released yet. OPS supporters plan to conduct a bigger demonstration on Saturday.