Tension after miscreants desecrate Periyar statues in Thanjavur, Tiruchy

Sources said, miscreants had garlanded the Periyar statue at Kavarapattu near Orathanadu with slippers. On hearing about the incident, the DK cadre blocked traffic on the Orathanadu- Mannargudi road.

Subsequently, they converged at the Anna statue in Orathanadu and staged a protest. Alleging that BJP national secretary H Raja was behind the incident, they demanded his arrest.

A police team led by the DSP Sengamala Kannan rushed to the spot and held talks with the agitators. Upon receiving assurance that the culprits would be immediately identified and arrested, the DK cadre dispersed from the spot.

Meanwhile, another Periyar statue at Somarasampettai in Tiruchy was found damaged in the wee hours of Monday. Iron rods reportedly used for damaging the statue was found nearby.

Soon, district level office-bearers of the DK rushed to the spot and staged a demonstration. They demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits. Later, the police pacified the protesters.