Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi MP Thol.Thirumavalavan says the Villupuram District Collector’s order of May 16 banning his entry into the district, has prevented him from going to his constituency, Chidambaram, in the neighbouring Cuddalore district. Without going through Villupuram district, it is impossible to reach Chidambaram, he contends.
In a writ petition before the Madras High Court challenging the Villupuram Collector’s order, he said the impugned order restricted him from going to his constituency via Tindivanam, Marakkanam and Kottakuppam in Villupuram district. He could not discharge his public duty as an MP. The Collector’s order specifically mentioned about the recent agitation and violence inflicted on Dalits and Dalit settlements at Marakkanam.
He said Dalits were subjected to unbearable atrocities. When that was the case, the Collector without applying his mind had passed the impugned order. The Villupuram district administration was duty bound to protect him and the Dalits in the district to ensure that they lived peacefully. The order would cause irreparable loss to his political career.
The Villupuram Collector, V.Sampath, said that in order to maintain peace and public tranquility in Villupuram District, he was clamping orders under Section 144 (1) Cr.P.C. prohibiting “Thol.Thirumavalavan or/and their party members or/and the members of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi or/any other leaders, members of any associations and any political parties and any other prominent individuals to enter Marakkanam or its related area, or any place in this district, and also prohibit conducting meetings/functions/indoor meetings where the incident related to PMK agitations happened since April 30 till further orders.”
