The Hindu : Front Page : Mob throws stones at convoy of Jayalalithaa at Pasumpon

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Mob throws stones at convoy of Jayalalithaa at Pasumpon

C. Jaisankar

Police personnel beaten up; three cars damaged in stone-throwing incident

— Photo: S. James

STERN ACTION: Police resorting to lathicharge in front of the Muthuramalinga Thevar memorial at Pasumpon in Ramanathapuram district on Thursday.

PASUMPON: Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa escaped unhurt on Thursday when a mob threw stones at her convoy of vehicles here in Ramanathapuram district. Two of her cars and a Government-owned bullet proof car were damaged.

The incident occurred a few seconds after she stepped out of her car and entered a VVIP gate of Muthuramalinga Thevar memorial to pay homage on the occasion of the 46th Guru Puja.

A youth wearing a red shirt threw stones at her car from a house, situated 20 meters away from the VVIP gate. Some youths sitting atop nearby trees hurled stones at policemen and AIADMK men following her. A mob beat up some policemen with logs.

Seconds after the violence, police burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the unruly mob. At least four policemen and 16 civilians were injured in the stone-throwing incident and lathicharge. They were taken to nearby hospitals. The incident created tension at Kamudhi and the nearby parts of the district.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, accompanied by her friend Sasikala, placed a wreath at the memorial of Muthuramalinga Thevar and attended a function to inaugurate ‘annadhanam.’ Later, police cleared all those standing along the path to pave way for her convoy to reach the nearby helipad, from where she flew back to Madurai.

Commenting on the incident, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the incident happened amid her repeated claim that she was facing a threat. She had also received a threat letter. The Government and the police failed in their duty to provide adequate security, she said.

T. Rajendran, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), said it was not a planned attack.

The police acted swiftly and brought the situation under control.

Earlier, M.K. Stalin, Minister for Local Administration, placed a wreath at the memorial on behalf of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. State Ministers, including I. Periasamy, S. Thangavelan and Thangam Thennarasu, also paid floral tributes at the memorial.

Leaders of various political parties, including K.V. Thangkabalu (Congress), S. Thirunavukarasar and L. Ganesan (BJP), G.K. Mani (PMK) and leaders of MDMK visited the memorial.

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