AIADMK leadership row: Tight security at party head office

CHENNAI: As the conflict between Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam turned into a major riot at the Royapettah head office, tight security has been put in place to avoid further violence.

On Monday morning, chaos prevailed near the party headquarters as party cadres hurled stones at each other and exchanged blows. Supporters of OPS broke open the locked door of the party headquarters to make way for their leader’s entry into the office, after supporters of EPS allegedly blocked entry of Panneerselvam’s vehicle.

Within hours of the violence, police resorted to mild lathi charge to make the cadres disperse from the area after which Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), south Chennai division, Sai Vardhini sealed the party headquarters, under section 145 Cr.PC ( (procedure where dispute is likely to cause breach of peace).

The revenue authorities also invoked section 146 (1) CrPC (power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver) in view of the potentiality of the dispute between the two factions.

An official release from the city police stated that the representatives of both the factions have to appear before the concerned authorities on July 25 to decide who has hold over the party office.-

Case registered again OPS supporters:

Police have registered a case against 200 supporters of AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam and 200 supporters of Edappadi Palaniswami for being involved in riots. Police have arrested 14 supporters of Edappadi K Palaniswami based on a case filed and will be remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.