Usha’s death accidental, says Edappadi K Palaniswami

Edappadi K Palaniswami gave this account on the incident which unfolded near Thuvakudi toll-gate in Tiruchy, while responding to DMK legislator Anbil Mahesh’s request to enhance the compensation to the kin of the deceased to Rs 25 lakh from Rs 7 lakh. 

Congress Legislature Party leader KR Ramasamy, who echoed the views of Mahesh, sought the state to drop all the cases registered against the protesters who stood with Usha’s family. 

“Raja sped away after getting back his scooter keys from Kamaraj in the pretext of cooperating to vehicle check. Kamaraj had to then chase in another two-wheeler and intercepted speeding Raja near Ganesa roundabout. As Raja lost balance in the melee, he fell down from the bike along with his wife Usha,” he said. As Usha was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, the CM said about 2,000 members of public gathered and staged a road roko. 

The crowd which refused to pay heed to the police and disperse resorted to stoning in which 44 buses, 6 police vehicles, and one revenue vehicle, and 11 policemen were injured.

In this connection as many as 21 persons were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The CM assured that action would be taken on the inspector.