DMK working president and Opposition Leader M.K. Stalin on Tuesday said that the State Government should take moral responsibility for the self-immolation by a family of four outside the Tirunelveli Collectorate on Monday due to the alleged harassment by a usurious moneylender.
Pointing to another incident in Sivakasi, where a mother and daughter had poured kerosene over themselves during an event attended by the Chief Minister and his deputy, Mr. Stalin said in a statement that it was the sign that, “Tamil Nadu is transforming into an uninhabitable place, thanks to incompetent leaders in the ‘Horse trading’ government.” The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging of Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003, was being sparingly used by the police, which had been tainted by the gutkha scam, he added. Mr. Stalin also demanded appropriate action against Tirunelveli police officers who ignored the family’s complaints. He also said that the next of kin should be compensated adequately. The Leader of Opposition suggested that the government stop using Self Help Groups for its political ends. According to Mr. Stalin, SHGs had thrived when, as deputy Chief Minister, he was in charge of the department concerned.
During an interaction with journalists, Mr. Stalin said that he had nothing more to add beyond what actor and producer Vishal himself had said about the raid at his offices: that he would face the allegations if the action against him was without ulterior motives. Mr. Stalin also called for the release of Congress leader Kumari Ananthan, who has been arrested while leading a march demanding the building of a temple for Bharata Mata.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Stalin also announced that the DMK would join the Opposition’s call to observe November 8 – the first anniversary of the announcement of demonetisation policy – as a black day. Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi had represented the DMK at the meeting of Opposition parties in Delhi. Mr. Stalin said that DMK workers would wear black clothes on the day and that the party would organise protest meetings at all district headquarters.
CPI flays Collector, SP
CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan on Tuesday demanded action against the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Tirunelveli district for failing to take action against usury.
ADVERTISEMENT
The problem of usury was prevalent not only in Tiruneveli and other southern districts but all over the State with no steps being taken by the State government to curb it, Mr. Mutharasan told reporters here.
In a statement, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su. Thirunavukkarasar demanded a compensation of Rs. 25 lakh for the next of kin of the dead. He also reminded the government that even as recently as 2014, the Madras High Court had asked it to enforce the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003.
Condemning the government, the State committee of the CPI(M) has called for appropriate action against officials whose dereliction of duty led to the deaths. The party’s State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said that the State government should enforce the 2003 Act and abolish the practice of usury.