Date:30/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/30/stories/2007103057810100.htm

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TNCC president stabbed

S. Vijay Kumar and C. Jaishankar

M. Krishnasswamy

MADURAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy suffered a stab injury when he was attacked by unidentified persons at Keezha Kanniseri near Mudukulathur in Ramanathapuram on Monday.

He was rushed to a private hospital in Madurai where his condition was said to be “out of danger.”

According to police sources, an unruly mob threw stones at the convoy of Mr. Krishnasswamy when it slowed down near a culvert.

When he got down from the car, a mob surged forward and an unidentified man stabbed him just above the stomach.

The incident occurred at about 8.15 p.m. when he was going to Mudukulathur to attend a function.

Mr. Krishnasswamy was travelling with Poovalingam, president of the Appanadu Maravar Sangam, who was also attacked.

“He is stable and conscious. We have to take a scan report to ascertain whether any damage has been caused to his vital parts,” Rohini Sridhar, Director (Medical Services), Apollo Hospital, said.

According to Ayub Khan, Tamil Nadu Congress Minority Wing former president, there was hardly any police presence in the locality. A large number of youths armed with spears and clubs led the attack.

Mistaken identity

Highly placed police sources said Mr. Krishnasswamy was not the target of the well-planned attack.

“It was a case of mistaken identity. The suspects were looking for another leader and could not recognise the Congressmen as it was pitch dark,” a senior police official said, adding that hundreds of police personnel were deployed at vulnerable points.

Tension gripped different parts of Ramanathapuram district soon after the incident. As the news spread, shops and business establishments in and around Mudukulathur downed shutters.

“The situation is under control. Firm action is being taken to apprehend the accused,” Additional Director-General of Police, K. Vijay Kumar, told The Hindu.