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Violent end to campaign in Karur
The last day of campaign in Karur LS constituency took a violent turn and finally ended in a severe clash between AIADMK and DMK workers in which a cop and a ruling party worker suffered serious injuries along with the vehicle of Congress candidate being damaged.
By
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Thiruchirapalli
The final day campaigning for the key contestants M Thambidurai (AIADMK) and S Jothimani (Congress) was scheduled in the evening at the roundabout near the bus stand in Karur. But the Returning Officer and Collector T Anbalagan who denied permission and later, both the parties were asked to shift the venue to Vengamedu junction.
AIADMK candidate M Thambidurai planned to take out a campaign rally from Vengamedu after garlanding Anna and MGR statues to the AIADMK election office on Coimbatore Road via Church corner, Jawahar bazaar, Chinna Andankoil, Periyar arch, Salem by pass and Thirukampuliyur roundabout, while the Congerss candidate S Jothimani planned to begin her procession from Vengamedu after garlanding the Kamarajar statue and reach Thanthondrimalai via Church Corner, Old Dindigul Road, Amaravathi river bridge and Toll gate.
Jothimani along with senior leaders Tiruchy N Siva and DMK district in charge V Senthil Balaji had left for Thanthondrimalai after completing their campaign at Vengamedu, even as a group belonging to DMK and Congress were waiting at the spot. By this time, the AIADMK cadre, who came there, reportedly picked up an altercation with the rival group and asked them to leave the place as their candidate was on his way. However, the DMK cadre refused to move away. Suddenly, both the groups started attacking each other with logs and pelted stones in which Vengamedu Special Branch personnel Senthil and AIADMK ward Secretary Dharman sustained injuries. On information, a team, led by the Karur Town DSP Kummaraja, rushed to the spot and pacified both the groups.
Meanwhile, the DMK cadre, who blocked Vengamedu-Old Dindugul Road, were chased away by the police. In an unexpected turn, DMK cadre started pelting stones at the AIADMK campaign vehicle that was crossing through the trouble spot at that time.
Locals blamed the police for its failure to guage the situation as the Karur town was tense from the morning and only a small team of 10 police personnel were posted on bandobust duty.
Monday was sleepless night, says Collector
“It was a sleepless night for me and my family. A 100-strong group of DMK and Congress workers gathered in front of my house late on Monday night and threatened me. They wanted to talk to me, but I told them that it was late hours and asked them to come on Tuesday morning. However, they attempted to trespass into my house,” said Karur Parliamentary constituency returning officer and district collector T Anbalagan
“I had the contact the SP for help in the dead of the night,” Anbalagan told media persons on Tuesday.
The Collector said that he has sought protection from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the district police after he allegedly received life threats from the DMK and Congress cadre over a row involving the allotment of campaign spots.
Anbalagan said DMK advocate Senthil along with other party functionaries, reportedly acting on instructions of DMK district in-charge V Senthil Balaji and Congress candidate S Jothimani, attempted to break into his residence late on Monday night demanding that he talk to them.
“I have petitioned the ECI. Appropriate action will be taken after getting a reply from the commission,” the collector said.
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