Date:11/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/11/stories/2005041107230400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Panchayat president arrested for smashing car

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI, APRIL 10. The president of the Panagudi special panchayat, Vanitha of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was arrested today on charges of smashing the windscreen of the car of the Radhapuram MLA, M. Appavu.

The legislator was also arrested later on a complaint of removing a board put up by AIADMKmen.

When Mr. Appavu opposed collecting of extra money for getting domestic drinking water connections by the Panagudi special panchayat administration, it led to direct confrontation with Ms. Vanitha. This small hamlet on the Tirunelveli-Nagercoil highway also witnessed road roko recently when the special panchayat administration removed three public water taps reportedly installed by the supporters of Mr. Appavu.

In this backdrop, Mr. Appavu's car was allegedly attacked by Ms. Vanitha when he was going to attend the marriage of the Panagudi special panchayat councillor, Sankar.

Police sources said Ms. Vanitha came to the Panagudi police station and confessed that she had smashed the windscreens of Mr. Appavu's car as the MLA and his supporters removed a board put up by the AIADMK.

Meanwhile, Mr. Appavu's car driver, Mani, a Dalit, also filed a complaint with the police against Ms. Vanitha, stating that she, after damaging the windscreen of the car, abused him by referring the name of his community.

"Based on this complaint, Ms. Vanitha may be arrested also under the Protection of Civil Rights Act," police said tonight.