Shops downed shutters in the island as the leaders of various political parties stepped up the fight for justice to a pregnant Dalit woman, who was allegedly ditched by her husband, and demanded action against the ‘biased’ police.
After they staged a demonstration here on May 27, the leaders gave a call for closing the shops and the traders responded with downing the shutters on Friday. Barring a few tea shops, all the shops in the island, including those located on the four car streets around the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple remained closed, CPI (M) leader M Karunamurthy, who was spearheading the agitation said.
Except the CPI and ruling AIADMK, leaders of all political parties joined the agitation, seeking justice for Anjugam, the dalit woman, who was allegedly deserted by her husband P. Sethubaskar from Akkalmadam, he said.
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The leaders demanded that the police drop the cases registered against CPI (M) leader C. R. Senthilvel and Madhar Sangam member Vadakoria and help the hapless woman get back to her husband.
The leaders also demanded action against the women police personnel of the All Women Police Station in the island. Mr. Karunamurthy alleged that the women police personnel acted in a biased manner, after conniving with two women advocates who appeared in the police station on behalf of Sethubaskar. The leaders would organise a one-day fast and picketing programme if the police failed to concede to their demands, he warned.