Deaths spark violence, police security beefed up
PUDUCHERRY: The death of three women who were evicted from Sri Aurobindo Ashram sparked violent protests by activists of a few political outfits. Some miscreants also vandalised properties such as school, petrol bunk, supermarket, and guest-house of Ashram located in various parts of city.
The incidents spread panic among the visiting devotees, tourists and residents alike.
Immediately after the news of death of three persons broke out, the police barricaded entire area near Ashram located in the heart of town. The area resembled a fortress with a large posse of policemen deployed since morning to pre-empt any untoward incident.
At around 11 am, a group of around 100 activists of Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam(TPDK) came in bikes and assembled before the Ashram. They shouted slogans against the police and the management of Ashram. When they attempted to breach the security cordon and proceeded towards the entrance of Ashram, the police resisted. All of sudden some of the activists started pelting stones on Ashram. They shattered glass panels and a board containing the symbol of Ashram.
A less-known group Tamizhar Kalam under M.Azhagar protested nearby demanding the Government take over of the Ashram.
M.Elango of Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam demanded that the Ashram be brought under Government control and complaints about irregularities and harassment subjected to a thorough probe.
The activists of Periyar Dravida Viduthalai Kazhagam led by Gokul Gandhi Nath too staged a protest demanding appropriate action against the trustees of Ashram who were allegedly responsible for the death of three women.
The scene turned chaotic for a while after the police realised that their van drivers were not available to remove the protestors. It was only after the drivers materialised that the protestors were taken away.
Vandalism
At 12.30 pm, a group of persons sporting black shirts pelted stones at glass panels of petrol bunk owned by Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Ambour Road. They even attacked some of machines and glass panels of office. The consumers who came to fill fuel had to run helter-skelter in panic. Immediately the staff of the bunk closed shop and the attackers fled from the scene.
Another group entered Honesty Society Supermarket, unit of Sri Aurobindo Udyog Trust at Romain Rolland Street and indulged in vandalism. Armed with long iron rods, they smashed the glass panels triggering panic among shoppers and staff.
S. Janaki said, “I have been working here for the last twenty years. I have never seen such an incident.”
The New Guest House of Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Romain Rolland Street also came under attack.
Police said two complaints were received and would investigate.
