A French national, Couteau Russel Anthony Oliver, who had come to Thanjavur to participate in a discussion organised by the Ulaga Tamizhar Peramaippu, was served a notice by the police authorities directing him to leave the country within 48 hours, necessitating his departure from the town.
The directive issued by the Foreigners Registration Officer and the Superintendent of Police, Thanjavur S.S. Maheswaran to the French national came in for condemnation by the peramaippu president Pazha Nedumaran later.
Sources said Anthony Russel who landed in the country on a tourist visa came to Thanjavur on Sunday to participate in a discussion on French language and culture organised by the Ulaga Tamizhar Peramaippu at the Mullivaikkal Ninaivu Muttram in Thanjavur town.
Mr. Anthony reached the event venue around 3 p.m. when a team of Thanjavur police officials came to the spot and handed over the notice to the French national and obtained a signature from him, said Ayyanapuram Murugesan, vice- president, Ulaga Tamizhar Peramaippu.
Mr. Murugesan said Anthony Russel left Thanjavur for Puducherry to meet the French consulate official there.
The police said he had come on a tourist visa and had not disclosed that he was to attend the meeting.
In a statement, Mr. Nedumaran said Mr. Russel had come to participate in a discussion on French language and culture organised by the Peramaippu on Sunday.
