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PMK men caused damage at theatres: police

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Aug. 17 . Pattali Makkal Katchi men indulged in violence, ``causing damage'' to cinema theatres screening ``Baba'', a Rajnikant starrer, and ``committed robbery'' of the film reels at Jayamkondam, the Additional Director-General of Police, V. Balachandran, said today.

In a statement issued on behalf of the DGP, Mr. Balachandran said that following the PMK leader, S. Ramadoss' statement against Mr. Rajnikant, ``feelings'' between the party members and the actor's fans became ``strained''. The PMK volunteers damaged theatres and cutouts of Mr. Rajnikant, besides burning his effigies, the senior police officer alleged.

On August 15, the PMK volunteers ``committed a robbery'' of the film reels from the Jayamkondam theatre but they were later recovered. In this connection, two persons were arrested and jailed. The film was now being screened without any interruption at Jayamkondam, he said.

The police rescued the manager of the Santhosh Palace theatre at Vriddachalam, who was abducted by ``some miscreants'' in the wee hours today.

At Tindivanam, Ezhumalai, a town secretary, and 57 PMK members were arrested when they attempted to disturb the screening of the film, while at Gingee, Rajendran, town secretary and nine PMK members were arrested.

``Except these three incidents, there is no information of any disturbance in any part of the State,'' Mr. Balachandran said.

The district Superintendents and Commissioners were instructed to take stringent action against those ``who try to disturb the peace''. All over the State, police security had been provided for theatres screening ``Baba film and heavy bandobust posted at cinema halls in Cuddalore, Villupuram and Perambalur districts.

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