Madurai city police have booked a case against 250 CPI (M) cadres, including the party candidate for Madurai West constituency U. Vasuki, for staging a road blockade in front of Jaihindpuram police station on Friday night alleging police inaction over distribution of cash.
The issue started earlier when about eight CPI (M) cadres caught three youngsters belonging to AIADMK while allegedly distributing cash to voters in Bharatiyar Nagar.
Police sources said that in the ensuing scuffle the three youngsters, including a minor boy, were allegedly assaulted by the CPI (M) cadres, who were later taken to police station for enquiry.
Ms. Vasuki said that on hearing about the incident she, along with the party cadres, rushed to the Jaihindpuram police station to question why no action had been taken against the AIADMK men.
Alleging that cash distribution was rampant in the constituency, she said, “Each time we alert a flying squad, they tell us to catch hold of the those involved since it will take time for them to reach the place. However, police say we have no right to directly engage with someone even if they are seen distributing money.”
“On Friday, we even told the police that they could take action against our volunteers if they had assaulted anyone. However, we insisted that action be taken against those men who were distributing cash,” she added.
Jaihindpuram police later filed a case against three CPI (M) cadres based on the complaint from the minor boy. The three were arrested and released on bail.
A separate case was filed against Ms. Vasuki and others for staging a road blockade in violation of the election code of conduct.
A senior official from the city police said that no case was booked against the three youngsters from AIADMK as there was no preliminary evidence of distribution of cash by them.
