The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : AIADMK, DMK clash in Assemby

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

AIADMK, DMK clash in Assemby

Special Correspondent

Interference in police administration

CHENNAI: The State Assembly on Wednesday witnessed noisy scenes with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, supported by its allies, and the main Opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam crossing swords on the issue of political interference in police administration.

Trouble started when Pattali Makkal Katchi leader G.K.Mani said the police, under the previous Government, arrested M.Karunanidhi, who was then in the Opposition, resorted to lathicharge on presspersons, attacked then Union Minister Murasoli Maran and foisted cases on Opposition leaders.

Leelavathi murder

Denying political interference in the police administration under the previous Government, the AIADMK recalled the murder of Leelavathi, a councillor of the Madurai Corporation, during the earlier DMK rule. The AIADMK alleged that the police had harassed its activists.

Intervening, Mr.Karunanidhi said a DMK activist was arrested in the Leelavathi murder case on the same day of the incident.

The then regime also agreed to the demand that instead of Government counsel, that of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) would appear in the case.

Responding to Dalit Panthers of India leader K.Selvam's appeal, the Chief Minister said the Government was prepared to help him seek justice from court.

Panel sought to monitor police officers

Mr.Selvam said the Central Bureau of Investigation had said that three of the four cases registered against him were baseless and in the remaining one, legal opinion had been sought. Pleading with the members not to politicise the issue, he asked the Government to appoint a panel to monitor the activities of the "bad police officers."

`Frequent transfers demoralised officers'

Deputy leader of the AIADMK O.Paneerselvam recalled various measures undertaken by the previous Government to modernise the police. Frequent transfers had demoralised police officers, he said.

Denies charge

Denying that the previous AIADMK Government had given concessions to a particular IMFL manufacturing unit, Mr.Paneerselvam said it was following the same procedures right from 1998 for purchasing IMFL. During 2001-2006, the State earned Rs.9,229 crore more than the revenue earned during 1996-2001 through excise duty, he added.

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