Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that his government would not show any leniency when it came to dealing with those who vandalised statues of leaders.
Responding to Opposition leader M.K. Stalin, who raised the issue of vandalisation of Periyar’s statue in Pudukottai and another statue in Tirupattur, Mr. Palaniswami said the acts were condemnable.
“Whoever they may be, the government would take action against them,” he said, adding that a CRPF havildar Senthil Kumar had been arrested in connection with the damage caused to the Periyar statue in Pudukottai after CCTV camera footages found him moving around the statue.
The Chief Minister said Kumar had objected to the installation of the statue in 2013 and threatened to demolish it if it was erected near his home. “During interrogation, he admitted to demolishing the statue and he has been remanded in judicial custody,” he said.
The police had also arrested two BJP supporters – Muthukumarn and Francis – in connection with the damage caused to the Periyar statue in Tiurpattur.
CRPF statement
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has said its jawan arrested for allegedly vandalising a statue of rationalist leader Periyar in Tamil Nadu was undergoing treatment for schizophrenia since February, and has been suspended after the incident came to light.
The paramilitary force, in a statement issued here, said head constable S. Senthil Kumar was under treatment at a force hospital in Hyderabad since February 12 for “schizophrenia.”
“He was on 30 days leave at his native place in Tamil Nadu from March 14,” the CRPF said. “The individual has been placed under suspension, pending enquiry in the case,” it added.
(With inputs from PTI)
